After the small reveal and the sudden appearance of Davy Jones, Artemis has been on edge. Unaware of what exactly would take place, she had stayed on top of the ship to be with her thoughts. When the crew was back, she was informed of what took place.
They would all go to battle, with the Black Pearl leading the Pirate Fleet. All, an order of Elizabeth, voted to be the Pirate King. That happened because everyone voted for themselves except for Jack who voted for her and this is how it happened.
Artemis did not know what to believe and what to think of it. All she knew was the fact that jack, somehow, had a plan. Now what this plan was and how it would evolve, she did not know. Even if she asked, she doubted he will tell her much of the details. He might not even have them himself since he is a man who improvises fast on the spot.
Now she was on the deck of the Black Pearl with the Pirate Fleet behind them. She was at the very front of the ship and was the first to notice the Endeavour emerging from the ominous mist at the horizon.
"It's here" she exclaimed, Marty who was by her side, hearing her.
"The enemy's here! Let's take her!" Marty shouted, the pirates agreeing with shouts.
However, Artemis did not join since one single ship was impossible to have been sent. As she feared, the rest of the armada emerged from the fog and they surpassed them in numbers by far. They were a huge boat while the pirates were a single ant; such was the difference.
"Abandon ship! Abandon ship!" Cotton's parrot said as he spread his wings and flew away, leaving them on their own.
Everyone looked at Jack, their looks indicating they were not happy with how things had turned out to be. It was his fault since he voted for Elizabeth and thus was the reason they were now at war against the armada.
Jack gave his usual awkward smile. "Parlay?"
Per unwritten but known laws of war at sea, a meeting was to take place. On a small island in the middle, a neutral ground, the two parties were to meet and might even persuade the other to back down from this fight.
From the Pirate side, Jack, Artemis, Elizabeth and Barbossa were chosen to go and meet the representatives of the opposite team. Those were, Beckett, Will, Davy Jones and Mercer. Artemis glared at the man dressed in black, not surprised he was still alive but she was not happy about it either.
She was at Jack's right, standing across from the spy and also almost across from Becket. Her eyes went from him to Davy Jones, recalling the last meeting they had when he tried to choke her for the second time. Because he could not stand on the island, he was forced to stay inside a bucket of water.
Feeling a pair of eyes on her and knowing exactly whom they belonged to. She returned the stare, her eyes meeting with Becket's. A shiver went down her spine, seeing him at such close distance. However she felt the gentle brush of fingers against the outside of her palm, and she knew it was Jack; obviously sensing the situation. After all, he was the only one knowing the truth.
This did not go unnoticed by Becket, but the moment was interrupted by Barbossa, who was glaring at Will as he realised something at last. "You be the cur that led these wolves to our door."
Beckett half-rolled his eyes. "Don't blame Turner, he was merely the tool of your betrayal. If you wish to see its grand architect, look to your left".
Everyone looked at the left who was Jack and he also looked left only to realise he was at the very end. Artemis knew parts about his plan and the idea of sending Will to Davy Jones with the compass, but she had to play along.
"My hands are clean in this... figuratively," he said, lifting his hands slightly up to emphasize his point.
"My actions were my own and to my own purpose. Jack had nothing to do with it" Will said fast, quickly defending the sneaky Pirate Captain.
"Well spoke, listen to the tool".
Now, it was the turn of someone else to speak before the battle was to start. This was Elizabeth. "Will, I've been aboard the Dutchman, I understand the burden you bear, but I fear that cause is lost," she said, recalling her time prisoner on the haunted ship and even the death of James.
The death of the former Commodore was a hard hit for Artemis. She never truly hated him even though he got on her nerves very often. After the small-time together on the pearl, she had started to tolerate him more and even be sad when he 'sacrificed himself' but it was all a fluke. Yet, he did not deserve to die. Especially protecting and helping Elizabeth even though she had chosen Will over him once again.
"No cause is lost if there is but one fool left to fight for it," Will replied and Artemis did not know how to feel.
Apart from her wanted to shake her head at the drama and lack of communication between them or smile and feel proud, Will quoted one of the things she had told him a few times in the past and he still remembered.
Beckett got tired of listening to all of this, "If Turner was not acting on your behalf, then how did he come to give me this?" He lifted the compass by the thin worn-out rope that was tied at the base, to tie the object on the belt. "You made a deal with me, Jack, to deliver the pirates, and here they are. Don't be bashful, step up, claim your reward" he tossed Jack the compass which he caught mid-air.
"Your debt to me is still to be satisfied. One hundred years in service aboard the Dutchman. As a start" Davy Jones said, almost spatting and caused Artemis to rest her hand on the handle of her sword.
"That debt was paid, mate, with *motions to Elizabeth*, help" Jack replied with pride and confidence.
"You escaped!"
"Technically..."
"I propose an exchange" Elizabeth interfered in this small chat between them, an idea coming into her mind. "Will leaves with us, and you can take Jack".
Artemis immediately looked at Elizabeth who was at her right, lips parting slightly. She did not like the idea at all. She wanted Will back since he was her best friend but delivering Jack to two people out of the four that wanted him dead was not the best idea she had come up with.
"Done," Will said but he would not have the last word.
"Undone" Jack argued back.
Beckett did not bother to hear him. "Done," he said, wanting to end this.
"Undone," Artemis said quickly and without thinking, earning a look from the majority of people.
Barbossa and Elizabeth were aware she had some sort of connection so far with Jack and would take his side. Davy Jones did not care, already having seen how the two of them felt for one another. Will had suspicions but now refusing to let him be saved for Jack; confirmed everything.
Becket stared at her the longest, a look of surprise and betrayal in his eyes. She had heard that Artemis had gone with Jack more than a year ago when she helped him escape the rope but now she had proved where she stood, especially with turning down the offer to save her childhood friend.
To her rescue came Barbossa with the proper argument as to why Jack should stay with them. "Jack is one of the nine pirate lords; you have no right..."
"King" Elizabeth interrupted him, holding pride and confidence behind this title.
Barbossa rolled his eyes and Jack took off his hat. "As you command" he bowed to her.
His former first mate grabbed the chance to draw his sword and cut the bead with the silver coin from Jack's red bandana. It fell on the sand and the monkey named after the pirate quickly ran over and got it.
Jack stood up and wore back his hat.
"If you be sayin' something, I might be sayin' something as well," Barbossa said.
Jack gave a small grin. "First to the finish, then?"
He then felt a pair of familiar feminine fingers with callouses brushing his and he glanced down for a moment as he returned the movement. He turned to face the enemy but glanced last time at Artemis. Giving her a reassuring smile, a last nod was all he did before he switched places with Will, now standing next to Davy Jones.
"Do you fear death?" the cursed captain asked, coming too close into his personal space.
Jack tried to keep his calm face. "You have no idea".
Beckett had noticed the small exchange and could not say he was happy or pleased with that. Yet, he stayed focused on the important task at hand. "Advise your brethren, you can fight and all of you will die, or you cannot fight in which case only most of you will die".
Elizabeth almost showed her white teen in anger. "You murdered my father" she spat.
"He chose his own fate".
"And you have chosen yours. We will fight, and you will die" with those words, she walked away and Will was quick to follow.
Barbossa and Artemis stayed back and as they turned their backs on them, Beckett decided to have the last word.
"It's not too late Artemis. You can join me, and all will be forgiven" he said causing her to stop and keep her back turned on him. Taking a deep breath, she kept her composure.
"We are past this. I would wish you good luckā¦but I really do hope you die." She walked away, Barbossa following.
Beckett was shocked, not expecting her to react like that. From the time they first met, it was obvious that she was a wild woman, raised differently and with this uniqueness. But now, this was not some feisty moment but pure hate. Her tone cold and serious, if she could throw a dagger at him and kill him on the spot she would do it.
Next to him, Jack had a proud smirk on his face. This was the Artemis he knew. All jokes and tough attitude but she had this hard, cold one. In the face of danger, when her loved ones were threatened she would show this new side. Like a calm sea that in mere minutes can turn into a wild storm with a cyclone affecting the weather. That was Artemis, his Artemis.
"So be it," Beckett said, now back to his usual self and finally drawing the line.
Artemis and Barbossa caught up with Will and Elizabeth, the pirate not asking any questions which she was thankful for. It was obvious by Beckett's words that there was something more that was hidden for no one to find.
As they approached the two lovers, they caught a part of their conversation.
"Of the Brethren Court. Courtesy of Jack" Elizabeth explained after Will asked about her new title.
Will shrugged slightly, "Maybe he really does know what he's doing".
Artemis reached them, walking next to Elizabeth. "Let us hope so. Now, we fight to prepare for".
She did not dare to look at Will, after taking Jack's side and she did not know how he felt. Was he betrayed, angry? Perhaps Sad because now both women in his life had turned their back on him or put someone else above him?
It was unknown but she would no ask him either. If they survived this incoming disaster, then she would ask but until then; she would focus on the battle. She planned to find a way and end this, knowing it would be the only way to save Jack.
Back on the Black Pearl, Elizabeth, Will, Artemis and Barbossa are around the map table. The new King of the Brethren Court was explaining her plan. "We'll use the Black Pearl as a flagship to lead the attack".
Barbossa though had already something else in mind. "Will we, now?"
On cue, Pintel and Ragetti brought Tia Dalma up, bound in ropes, up from below. Artemis' eyes widened and she wanted to move and free her, but the mystical woman gave her a very subtle look and reminded her of the discussion they had before. Something that felt so far long gone but it was less than a day.
"All right, Mrs Fish, c'mon," Pintel said, leading her or pulling her along; depending on how everyone looked at it.
Will quickly marched to the older Pirate as his two goons were busy leading Tia Dalma to the main mast. "Barbossa, you can't release her," he said, knowing about the plan thanks to some talk with Artemis and Elizabeth.
"We have to give Jack a chance" Elizabeth quickly said, joining him.
"Apologies, your majesty! Too long my fate has not been in my own hands - no longer" Barbossa said and pulled Sao Feng's necklace off Elizabeth before dropping it in a bowl with other pieces of eight that he had gathered the night before during the captain meeting.
Quickly, Elizabeth and Will found themselves being pulled back by two of Barbossa's crew, despite their struggles and protests. The old pirate looked at Artemis.
"Will you join them or me?" he asked, and she glanced at Tia Dalma one last time, now trapped by many ropes around her body and the main wooden mast.
Without speaking, Artemis took a few steps back until she was at the side and close to the back of the crowd that had gathered, consisting of the crew of both Jack and Barbossa.
"Be there some sort of rite or incantation?" Gibbs asked, unsure on how to feel about this plan but he saw what happened to those opposing.
"Aye. Items to be brought together... done. Items to be burned. And someone must speak the words: Calypso, I release you from your human bonds." He explained.
"That's it?" Pintel asked, expecting something fancier or more complicated.
"It was said it must be spoken as if to a lover" he laughed and then proceeded to incantate the words. "Calypso, I release you from your human bonds" he then attempted to light the items, but nothing happened.
Artemis lifted a red eyebrow, expecting something more. Yet again, the way Barbossa said the words did not sound much like those of a lover to her. She might not be so experienced to that part but he should be, right?
"Is that it?" Pintel asked, voicing out the thoughts of many who were watching him.
To everyone's surprise, Ragetti approached. "You didn't say it right. You have to say it right" with those words, he grabbed a lock of Tia's hair and brings his face close to her cheek, whispering to her ear. "Calypso, I release you from your human bonds".
To everyone's shock, the bowl started to levitate while the items inside were caught on fire. They forced Calypso to breathe in the purple smoke coming from the fire and immediately. Everyone moved back except for the Pirates that were holding the ropes.
Some ropes broke and the mast crackled slightly but in the end, the giant Tia Dalma or better say Calypso; was still bound. She looked down upon them, a smirk on her lips but her brown eyes were more focused on a standing Artemis.
Barbossa bent one knee and bowed his head, everyone following him but Artemis who kept standing. "Calypso, I come before you as a servant, humble and contrite. I have fulfilled my vow and now ask your favour. Spare me, my ship, me crew, but unleash your fury upon those who dare pretend themselves your masters, or mine".
She watched them, no saying anything or bothering with what Barbossa had said. Will, being the sneaky pirate he was, decided to give it a shot via a different technique.
"Tia Dalma. Calypso. *bowl falls* When the Brethren Court first imprisoned you, who was it that told them how? Who was it that betrayed you?"
"Name him!" the goddess demanded, her voice heavy and echoing as she spoke.
"Davy Jones"
This seems to anger her as she started to fight against her bonds. She started to shout, throwing curses, and bringing up Davy Jones's name as the pirates struggled to hold the ropes, and the mast to stay standing.
Then, she started to break down into thousands of white crabs before they all fell on the deck. Like a huge wild wave, they attacked everyone but Artemis and headed in sync for the sea. The ship shook left and right as the extra weight was released.
Once it was over, everyone was groaning and was removing the crabs from their clothes, hair or faces. Artemis who was still standing was looking at where Tia Dalma or Calypso was a few seconds ago. She was untouched, the crabs having avoided her as if not wanting to harm her.
Feeling a pinch on her boot, she looked down only to see a white crab. Somehow, she felt that she knew his crab and a small flash of the locker came into mind. She bent on one knee and brought her open palm towards the animal, only for it to climb just as the crab in the locker did.
White crabs were the symbol of Calypso and this one was no exception. However, what caught her attention was the familiar necklace it was holding on one of its claws. The necklace in the shape of a sea shell with a music box inside it was handed to her by the grab and she knew that Tia Dalma would want her to have it.
Taking it, she gave a nod of thanking the animal before turning towards the sea and letting her hand be above the waters. She then watched as the crab walked until it fell from her open palm and into the waters below. Wearing the necklace, she felt as if the mysterious woman was still with her.
She did not have much time to bond with her but after unlocking that memory of her childhood, she felt closer to this goddess that was now free to roam the seas.
"Was that it?" Will asked once everyone had recovered, no one truly paying attention to her.
"Why, she's no help at all. What now?" Pintel asked, noticing no change in the weather other than a strong wind. No sudden wave attacks or lightning hitting the enemy.
Barbossa looked around for a moment. "Nothing. Our final hope has failed us".
Elizabeth started to get angry. "It's not over".
Will gave a nod. "There's still a fight to be had".
Gibbs shook his head. "We have an armada against us, and with the Dutchman, there's no chance".
Artemis listened and grabbed the necklace around her neck. She did not want to admit and agree with Barbossa and Gibbs about having no hope, but the facts were there. No godly help and the odds were not with them. Even if they could take down the Dutchman and the cursed crew, they would have to face the whole armada and she knew personally they were well-armed.
The chance of surviving and succeeding seemed zero to her. Yet, she recalled that Jack was still on a Dutchman and he needed help. How could she leave him behind? But even if she did save him, what were the chances they would leave to escape?
She was firstly snapped from her thoughts by a single drop of water falling from the sky. Looking up, she noticed the dark clouds that had formed above them as the rain droplets started to fall faster and harder,
"Revenge won't bring your father back, Miss Swann, and it's not something I'm intending to die for," Barbossa told Elizabeth, making her focus on them.
"You're right" she admitted and climbed on the railing, holding on the rope and addressing all crews. " Then what shall we die for? You will listen to me. Listen! The brethren will still be looking here to us, to the Black Pearl to lead, and what will they see? Frightened bilge rats aboard a derelict ship? No! They will see free men and freedom. And what the enemy will see is the flash of our cannons, they will hear the ring of our swords and they will know what we can do! By the sweat of our brows, and the strength of our backs, and the courage of our hearts... gentlemen, hoist the colours!"
Will looked at her with pride and amazement, feeling as inspired as the rest of the men around him. "Hoist the colours".
More and more pirates joined, repeating with the same confidence behind their words and a determined look on their faces. Artemis smiled with pride, hearing at Elizabeth and how she inspired everyone. Jumping on the railing and looking at the ships around and behind them, she joined.
"The wind's on our side, boys, that's all we need! Hoist the colours!"
The wind picked up with her words, growing louder as if obeying her. The direction was exactly the one they needed to gain speed while holding back the enemy. Her words had echoed despite the sound of the storm and soon, all the pirate ships rose their own pirate flags along with the black pearl.
