The Black Pearl left first, being the first ship to battle. As it was expected, the Dutchman did the same. Both armies stayed where they were, anchors down and waiting. The big and crucial battle of this war would take place between the two ships, between the two leaders.

If the Pirates were to fail to take down Jones, then all it was lost. Perhaps some Pirate Ships could escape the massacre. But if our heroes found a way to defeat the cursed Captain, then there was still hope.

Barbossa was already behind the helm, leading as the wind kept picking up. The rain fell harder on everyone as they tried to keep the ropes tied, the canons ready and the powder dry. Artemis was one of them, shouting orders above the howling winds as their speed increased greatly by the second.

"Have you noticed, on top of everything, it's raining!?" Pintel shouted annoyed, his clothes sticking to his body.

Ragetti gave a nod. "That's a bad sign."

Gibbs rushed up and down like a madman. "Man the capstan... keep that powder dry! *looks to port and sees humongous whirlpool forming* Maelstrom!"

Artemis heard his words and rushed to the front, holding from a rope so she doesn't fall into the sea. Her blue eye landed on the whirlpool and for a moment, she felt something. Something coming from the huge spinning endless whirlpool.

People kept shouting to avoid it and she knew, deep down that this was the wrong move. Wasting no time, she rushed towards the Helm. Dodging running sailors and flying ropes. Climbing the stairs two at a time, she was at the helm in record time.

"Move!" she shouted to Barbossa, coming fast and almost knocking him to the side.

Her hands gripped the wheel with tight white knuckles, keeping it steady as they were approaching the whirlpool.

"What ar' ya doing?!" he shouted and looked at her.

She didn't return the look, attention focused on the horizon. "What we must do"

There was a sudden increase in speed as they entered the edge of the whirlpool. The waters threatened to pull the helm to the side but she kept it steady, cutting through them with determination. Across from them, the Dutchman did the same thing.

Most sailors and pirates seemed shocked, almost scared by the sudden move. However, when they saw Artemis behind the wheel, no one questioned.

"Brace up the yards, ya cockeyed deck apes... dyin' is a day worth livin' for!" Barbossa shouted as the ship moved faster and deeper into the maelstrom.

"On our stern and gaining!" Will informed, noticing the distance between the two ships closing. "Take her out or she'll overbear us!"

"Nay, farther in! We'll cut across to faster waters!"

Artemis gave a nod, glad Barbossa quickly realised her intentions and actually agreeing. Her eye locked with Elizabeth's and she seemed to also understand her, without her having to say anything.

"Prepare to broadside!" the dirty blond woman ordered, everyone, getting on their positions.

Gibbs was quick to join. "Batten down the hatches! Stick to your guns! Sight the flash!"

The ships came closer and closer by the second, now following the direction of the raging waters they circled one another like two predators. Once in the proper position, came the one single word that started the legendary battle.

"Fire!" Artemis shouted first, followed by Barbossa, Elizabeth and Will repeating her orders so everyone could hear it.

At the same time, the same orders were given by Davy Jones and flashes of light, along with flying canon balls covered the sky. Both ships got hit, pieces of wood flying across the air and injuries happening instantaneously.

The ships kept coming closer and they reached a point where they tilted because of the angle and suddenly, their masts interlocked. Ropes trapped one another and the two ships were one. Grabbing the chance and the free ropes, pirates from both ships rushed to attack. Flying through the air, some flew and landed in the sea but the majority reached their target.

It took less than a minute before the battle started. However, the majority happened on top of the Dutchman were both soldiers and the cursed crew tried to defend the haunted ship. Artemis landed, while Will and Elizabeth had stayed back on the pearl.

She looked around and quickly sidestepped to the side when a soldier tried to pierce her with his sword. Using his own momentum, she stabbed the back of her sword on his head and made him fall into the waters.

Blocking another blade, she was quick to slice the man across his chest and let him bleed out slowly. She searched amongst the chaos. There was barely any light since the sky had been covered by the dark clouds that brought the heavy rain.

The waters kept moving the ships and the time was limited before both ships were swallowed by the whirlpool. She had to hurry. She made her way towards the dungeons but before she could climb down the stairs, she heard the sound of blades.

This one was far more distant and seem to come from above. Looking up, on top of the sails of the second mast, Jack and Jones were fighting. She could not see with full details but the battle was not going well for her captain.

He had the chest with the heart in one hand and tried to fend off Jones with the other, using his sword and skills; all while balancing on the wet wooden beam with the strong winds against them. Rushing fast, she grabbed one of the ropes and sliced the other end.

She was pulled up with speed and with her blade ready.


Jones had pushed Jack back and as he was busy trying to keep his balance, he decided to grab his chance and strike the man down; once and for all. However, something shot up between them and a blade deflected his.

The force made him stumble back but he held his balance. He left out a growl when he realised Artemis had joined and she was standing protectively in front of Jack.

"Lass" Jack exclaimed relieved to see her, and also to have his head intact for a while longer. However, another question came to his mind. "What are you doing here?"

He did not want her in immediate danger, especially facing someone as dangerous as Jones. This was not her fight and the last thing he wanted, was for her to get hurt. Specially get killed because the cursed Captain was no funny games.

"Saving you, again," she said but didn't look at him, not wanting to take her eyes off her opponent.

Davy Jones charged and she blocked his attack by bringing her blade up and horizontally. He tried to use his weight to pin her down but she managed to push his blade up and go for a slash at his chest. He dodged by pulling his body back, only for Jack to quickly join.

Somehow, the two of them fought in perfect sync. Jack stayed behind her but used openings from her side or even under her arms to defend her, sometimes even attacking. In one moment, Jones was about to slash Artemis' neck but she ducked back.

Her body moved, barrel rolling above Jack who had subconsciously bent down. She dodged the attack as they changed sides. He brought his blade up and quickly pushed Jones away, giving them both a moment to take a breath.

They exchanged a look, and a similar idea came into their minds. They knew on top of the sails they had no chance to win and technically, they couldn't. They had to bring the heart to the pearl and find a moment for Jack to stab it.

"You can do nothing without the key!" Jones said as if reading their thoughts.

"I already have the key" Jack bluffed but neither Artemis nor Jones believed him.

The latter especially because he had the proof. One of his tentacles grabbed the hidden key, showing it to him. "No, you don't."

"Oh, that key" Jack replied and in one swing motion, he cut off Davy's tentacle that was holding the key, and it fell below.

Jack, you brilliant madman, Artemis thought, quickly understanding why Jack had bluffed.

Davy Jones shouted from the pain and then he turned with Fury, grabbing Jack's sword with his crab claw and breaking it. He was left with only a small part. Suddenly, the boat lurched and caused Jack to lose his balance. He fell forward and down but was saved by Jones.

Jack still holding the chest from one end and Jones had grabbed the other end. Yet, he did not like the extra weight and tried to pry him off. With one fast swing, Jack was sent flying.

"Jack!" Artemis shouted and charged by Jones blocked her attack.

The two of them quickly started fighting with anger and were unaware that Jack's luck had yet to run out.

The captain had landed on the same rope with a pirate. They exchanged a look before he took the pistol from the confused man. "Oy! My pistol"

With the butt of the pistol, he hits the man on the chest and makes him let go of the rope. He fell into the sea and Jack used his momentum to direct the rope. Heading towards the two pirates fighting, he aimed.

With precision, he grabbed the chance when Artemis pushed Jones back with her sword and he shot his hand. With a cry, Jones let go of the locker which fell.

Jones quickly merged with the mast, Jack slipped down the rope to land to the deck and Artemis jumped. She slid on the ripped sails, heading fast for the deck. Once her legs touched the wooden floor, the momentum and strength sent her forward. Doing two front rolls, she managed to stay on her feet.


Looking around, she noticed what Will had grabbed the chest and Jack was busy playing merry go round, around the wooden summoning wheel of the Kraken. Getting tired of the constant chase, he simply started to merge with the wood.

Jack then spun the wheel, causing Jones to spin with him. That only angered him more and with a roar, he managed to break free. Jack simply screamed and ran away just as Jones freed himself.

He managed to catch up with Jack and send him flying to the floor with a strong hit. Artemis charged and quickly fend him off with a war cry, pushing away from a shocked Jack. With a grunt of try, he kept fighting Jones but he was more skilled.

Using an opening, he pushed her hand to the side and kicked her on the stomach. The supernatural force sent her flying back as she lost grip of her sword. She landed on her back, the wind knocked out from her lungs.

Jones was about to end her when Elizabeth charged. She stood between him and her older sister. She might not be the most experienced with a sword, but she refused to simply stand aside and watch. Not when Artemis's life was on the line.

"All right, then! You'll see no mercy from me!" Jones shouted at her and charged at her.

She started to defend herself but was quick to lose. He grabbed her sword and then used his crab claw to back slap her, sending her on the wooden deck.

Meanwhile, Will had lost the locker since he was busy fighting his dad. However, he refused to kill him and when he saw Elizabeth in danger, he knew he had to make a choice. Stabbing the coat of his father with the same small knife he had given him before he forgot about his son, he looked him in the eye.

"I am not going to kill you"

And with those words, he rushed to Jones and stabbed him from behind. His sword passed through, the tip coming out clean from the other side.

"Mister, did you forget? I'm a heartless wretch" Jones said amused and quickly pushed himself out of the blade.

Before Will could recover or even move, he kicked him down with the same force he had used on Artemis. He then happened to notice the look of worry Will and Elizabeth shared, then everything clicked in his mind. "Ahhh, love. A dreadful bond. And yet so easily severed. Tell me, William Turner, do you fear death?"

Suddenly, a new voice joined in. "Do you?" jack asked, holding the beating heart of the cursed captain in his heart, blood falling between his fingers and landing on the floor below. He had managed to find the chest and the key, getting the heart out in time, from the looks of it. Artemis smirked, holding her aching stomach and with one knee bent. Her sword was somewhere lost but her attention was on Jack and Jones. Sparrow continued. " Heady tonic, holding life and death in the palm of one's hand"

"You're a cruel man, Jack Sparrow," Davy Jones told him.

Jack simply and quickly glanced at Artemis for a moment before focusing on his arch-nemesis. "Cruel is a matter of perspective"

"Is it, now?" Jones asked and to prove his point, he was quick to spin and stab Will in the chest with his sword.

Elizabeth shouted, Artemis and Jack watched with wide eyes and the cursed Captain simply laughed.

"Will! Will! Look at me! Stay with me! You're all right!" Elizabeth begged, holding his head in her arms and whispering words to him, tears running down her eyes and mixing with the rain.

Jack suddenly hesitated to stab the heart, seeing the slowly dying Will on the floor and hearing the cries of Elizabeth.

Suddenly, Bootstrap charged at Davy Jones. "William! My son!" he shouted as he tried to fight him, his memories back and so were the love for his son.

He was no match and was quick to be discarded to the side. Then Jones was about to stab Elizabeth too but halfway, he was tackled by Artemis. Without her sword, she pushed her body in between and quickly let the blade pierce her stomach.

She left out a gasp as she felt the cold still passing through her, coming to the other side-stained red. Jones laughed more and pulled his blade back only to realise he couldn't. Despite the pain and her weak knees, Artemis had grabbed the sword with both hands and held it there.

Her eyepatch was gone, white and blue eyes stared into the soul of the Cursed Captain as she refused to let him go. She was earning time, for Jack or someone to finish the job. With each pull, her hold weakened, and her hands shook and bled from holding the sharp edges of the sword, but she stayed put.

One strong pull and one knee were bent but she kept standing.

"You try my patience" Jones spat and lifted his hand, ready to hit her when he felt it.

The sharp pain coming from his chest, the coldness that quickly spread across his body. He let go of his sword and took a few steps back. His eyes going to his heart which had been stabbed. However, it was Will who had stabbed it with the help of Jack who held and guided his hand. But in the end, it was Will's hand that was around the handle of the broken sword.

He stumbled more, his back finding the wooden railing. Looking up at the clouds, he could only say one word. "Calypso"

He then fell back, forever taken by the maelstrom and the raging waters.

Jack quickly stood up and rushed to Artemis, who managed to pull the sword of her. However, when she did that, more blood rushed out and whatever strength she had, disappeared. She fell forward, only for Jack to catch her.

"Easy lass," he said, holding her head on his laps.

Her eyes looked at Jack, a single tear at the edges, threatening to roll down. The coldness spread, coming also from her wet clothes and the raging winds. His face bent over hers, hiding the pictures of the dark clouds.

Her hand weakly pressed on her wound, and he felt him, being pressed on top. Blood kept running, her strength slowly giving away.

"J-jack" she muttered, her lips quivering from the cold and the shock.

She did not expect to go out this way, but she did not mind. She was in the arms of the man she loved, and his face would be the last one to see. She didn't feel scared, not like the time with the bomb and the pirates.

This time, she felt certain. However, there was still a worry in her mind.

"…G-get…off..t-this…s-ship…" she stuttered, using every strength she had to put into moving her lips.

On cue, the two masts were freed since the Pearl shot a double-chained canon ball that broke through the woods. That meant that the pearl was free and was already trying to escape. However, the Dutchman headed straight for the endless abyss in the centre of the whirlpool.

At the same time, every cursed member started to slowly march towards the barely alive Will, chanting:

"Part of the crew, part of the ship..."

Jack looked at everything and then at Elizabeth who kept shouting, begging Will not to leave her. He then looked down at Artemis who had a smile on her purple lips. He leaned forward and pressed his lips on hers, giving her one last kiss.

It lasted a few seconds, but it felt so much less. When they broke apart, Artemis weakly smiled.

"…go…" her voice a whisper but he heard it either way.

Gently leaving her head on the floor, he rushed and grabbed Elizabeth from behind.

"Don't leave me! I won't leave you!" she shouted and tried to fight Jack but she couldn't. "Artemis!" she shouted, noticing the laying woman as she was pulled away.

The redhead turned her head weakly, keeping the same smile, giving it to the girl she saw as a younger sister for so many years. It ached to see the tears and hearing her cries, having lost so many people in such an amount of time.

Yet, there was nothing to be done.

Jack managed to cut a piece of the ripped sail and use it as a parachute. Letting the air shoot him upward and away from the ship. Elizabeth held tightly his waist and they both watched as the ship was taken by the waters, their loved ones together too.