Artemis saw the crew passing her, heading and surrounding Will. Bootstrap brought the empty chest and somehow she knew what would follow next. She lost the feeling of sound just as the waters swallowed them whole.
In her last moments, she realised she would be reunited with her family again. Her parents and the crew of her father. With those thoughts, she closed her eyes and let the water enter her system.
Jack and Elizabeth landed into the waters; the whirlpool gone. The Pearl sailed next to them, and a ladder was tossed for the duo. Once up, Elizabeth collapsed on the floor, hugging herself.
Gibbs approached, his eyes searching for the two missing members. "Jack, where is Will? Where is Artemis?"
As the crew gathered around him, Jack felt their gaze but held his strong. The pain was obvious in his brown eyes, his heart aching with each beat but he kept his composure.
"What is the status Master Gibbs?" he asked, changing the subject
Gibbs wanted to argue, to say things but one look at him and realised. Lowering his head for a moment, he then focused on the question. Now it was not the time to mourn, and Artemis wouldn't want them to forget the important battle.
"Jack, the armada's still out there, the Endeavour's coming up hard to starboard, and I think it's time we embraced that oldest and noblest of pirate traditions..."
At the mention of traditions, the image of a certain redhead flashed into his mind, a small smirk on his face. "Never actually been one for tradition... Close haul her. Luff the sails and lay on iron!"
"Belay that, or we'll be a sitting duck," Barbossa shouted, quickly moving forward, and ignoring whatever had happened upon the Dutchman. It was obvious who was lost but he would not break his heart over any of them.
"Belay that 'belay that.'" Jack mocked him.
Gibbs tried to interrupt. "But captain..."
"Belay!"
"The armada..."
"Belay!"
"The Endeavour..."
"Belay!"
"But we..."
"Stow. Shut it!"
Finally, the first mate stopped talking and everyone looked at Jack.
The pearl stood still, facing the Endeavor that was not that far from them. With the sea calm, the distance seemed much smaller. Beckett stood on top of the helm, looking across. He had witnessed the whole battle, but he still believed he had won.
"What is he waiting for?" An Officer asked, surprised that there had been no attack.
"He actually expects us to honour our agreement. Nothing personal, Jack... it's just good business." Beckett said and suddenly, a familiar haunted ship shot out from the waters. "Ahh, she survived"
Unaware of who was the captain on the ship from that moment on.
It took only a few minutes before both ships started to head for the Endeavor. Instead of fighting each other, both seem to have the ship of the Royal Navy as their target. Uneasiness spread across the crew as the two ships parallel the Endeavor from both sides.
Time seemed to slow down, the canons of the Pirate Ships getting into formation by their sides. He glanced at the Dutchman; his eyes wide when he noticed a figure standing by the railing.
Despite the winds blowing and the rain that had just stopped, the flaming redhead belonged to one person. Standing on top of the wooden structure, hands folded in front of her chest. A single blue eye looked at him, standing out against everything despite the distance.
Then, the lips moved and whispered a single word.
FIRE
And just like that, both ships opened fire and let their canons destroy the ship piece by piece. Beckett could only watch, realising what he had lost. Ignoring the shouts of his soldiers that they were asking him orders or their yells of pain when the explosions sent them flying. Slowly, he descended the stairs, canon balls breaking them as he passed by them.
The last one hit behind him, causing an explosion and bringing an end to his tyrannic rein.
On top of the Black Pearl, they watched as the Endeavor was destroyed and sunk to the sea. Immediately, the whole armada started to turn away. Realizing that if they stayed, they would have lost the war completely.
Instead, they let that be a defeating battle. Seeing them leaving, was all the pirates needed to brighten their moods, after the hell and loss they experienced.
"They're turning away!" Martin shouted and everyone started to cheer.
Some hugged each other, but the majority simply shouted and cheered loudly. Hats were tossed and every single pirate from all the ships did the same. All celebrating their victory, their freedom.
Jack sat behind the helm, watching but his heart could not fully relate to the joy. Despite the sun above them and the grand victory they have earned, the loss simply weighted him down. He looked at Gibbs who was close by, obviously understanding his position.
Wanting to get rid of him but also to share some joy and tease him as always. He turned to face him. "Mr Gibbs, you may throw my hat if you like."
"Aye aye captain! *tosses Jack's hat* Hooray!"
"Now go and get it."
The smile the old man had on his face disappeared as he climbed down the stairs and into the sea of sailors, to find the said hat. Jack watched when he heard the sound of water splashing against the sides of the ship, something odd since the sea was very calm.
Something told him to turn and when he did, his brown eyes grew wide. Artemis stood by the edge, a smile on her lips. Her red hair was messy, tangled and falling on her back. Her clothes were the same, except for a hole in her shirt where she had been stabbed.
The wet clothing stuck to her skin, and he could see the bright red openings of the wound. The wound itself was not big, but stitches were needed. However, the blood had stopped running and it seemed as if the wound itself had been cleaned by the sea.
"Lass" he breathed out and he marched towards her.
She met him halfway, her arms wrapped around his neck. His carefully went around her waist. They looked at each other and immediately kissed, eyes closed and igniting the flames within their bodies. The kiss lasted much longer than their previous ones, finally nothing to prevent them. No battles, no death, and no conflicted emotions about each other.
They knew what they wanted and that was each other, and they finally had it. Breaking the kiss, their foreheads were connected but their moment was interrupted by a voice.
"Artemis!" Elizabeth shouted, noticing her on the helm.
Everyone turned to look, but only she, Gibbs and Barbossa rushed. The last one, out of mere curiosity.
"Liz" Artemis exclaimed, letting go of Jack to hug the blond pirate. "Easy" she added right after, feeling the strong hug.
"But how? I saw you…I mean…you…does that mean…?" Elizabeth said, breaking the hug and looking at her.
She noticed the wound, surprised she was alive and let alone moving. And then, he looked at her face. The eyepatch was gone, both eyes looking at her. Something had changed but she could not see it, not in her happiness and shock.
"It was not my time for the sea to take me. Not yet" she replied and let her go fully, taking a step back. "The sea cleaned my wound but trust me, I need a lot of rum to fight this pain and stitches"
"Welcome back Artemis," Gibbs said, smirking at the mention of rum and relieved to see her standing and alive.
"Thank you mister Gibbs," she said and turned back to Elizabeth. "I have the coordinates. He will meet you there at sunset" she informed, bringing hope and tears into her adopted little sister.
A day after the fight and the sun had just started to rise above Tortuga. The streets and Ins were filled with pirates, all celebrating their grand victory. In one room, while everyone was asleep, Artemis was getting dressed.
The wound on her stomach was stitched and patched, the pain still there but she simply took a sip from a bottle of rum to help her. She let the bottle gently down and fixed her red shirt and then her black sleeveless jacket/corset. She did not squeeze it too much because of the wound.
Her red hair braised and falling on her back, keeping strands away from her face. She wore a brand-new black eyepatch, covering her scar and injured eye. A hand gently caressed it, that eye meaning more than anyone else could ever realize.
She then turned to the bed behind her, Jack sprawled there. His upper naked body was exposed, the other covered by a simple white bed sheet. She smiled gently, watching him sleep peacefully after the events of the previous night.
Her heart ached more than her wound at what she was forced to do. As to what their relationship would end up with her actions. Someone would think that after that fateful night, they would stay together. But their fates were meant for different paths.
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She could still feel that cold memory.
She was under the sea, the water entering her lungs. Yet in the pitch blackness, she did not feel as if she was dead. She could see or feel or sense anything, just an endless nothing yet her body knew she was under the waters. The deck behind her back was still there but she could not feel it.
And then, a familiar voice ringed inside her head. Holding the warmth, mystery, and wisdom it always had.
"It is not your time yet Artemis. When your fate is fulfilled, will the sea claim you. Always remember, the sea cannot be stopped. She is meant to be free and wild. That is her curse and her blessing"
Then, just like that. The ship moved to the surface and all the water left her lungs as she coughed. Looking down, a pair of boots stopped in front of her. She looked up as Will extended his hand to her.
Her hands subconsciously held the shell necklace around her neck. She knew that voice, that accent, there was no mistake. Her words were bitter in her mouth, but she was right. She had a choice to make, and her nature led her towards her freedom, despite the sacrifices she had to make.
She headed for the hanged coat of Jack and her hand grabbed the piece of rolled parchment that was halfway out. When she did, however, something else fell on the wooden floor. Picking it up, she realised it was a ring.
With a golden band, there was a big red square gem on it. It looked beautiful and majestic. The ring size seemed small and when she tried it, it was a perfect fit. That's when she realised, and her stomach dropped.
Closing her eyes, her heart ached more as she turned to look at the sleeping Jack.
Why do you make it so hard for me Jack? She wondered as if he would wake up and reply to her.
Her hand that held the parchment shook but then an idea came to her mind. Opening the parchment on a wooden table, she unrolled and exposed a map. She knew that map, the one to the fountain of youth. They were discussing it yesterday while drinking before they got carried away.
Grabbing one knife from her booth, she quickly cut a circle in the middle. Making sure to cut around the moving circles that had to be turned and tested, to reveal their secrets. Like the map that led them out of the Locker of Davy Jones.
When done, she folded the smaller piece and put it back into the coat. She rolled the bigger piece and held it tightly. Glancing at the ring on her finger, she smiled and carefully walked towards him, making sure not to make any noise.
She bent her knees, being by his height and watched him for a moment. Her hand gently moved strands out of his face, the same way he had done to her in her final moments. She then brought her lips and gently pecked his.
"I am sorry Jack" she whispered as she stood up and headed for the door.
Opening it, she glanced behind her one last time and with a half heart, she stepped out of the room.
Artemis made her way towards the docks. The special necklace was hidden beneath her clothing and the map held in her arm. The red gem glowed with the morning sun and she took a moment to breathe in the smell of the sea.
Her sword was strapped by her side, having found it on top of the Dutchman. The water never truly took it and Will rightfully returned it to her. It gave her a sense of security, the sword meaning so much for her. She was never someone who bound themselves emotionally to objects, or she used to be one. Now, there were certain things she needed in her life.
Reaching the docks, she saw how two of Barbossa's men carried a sleeping Gibbs and dropping him on the docks. The man slept deeply, in his arms a teddy bear that he used to sleep with. Her blue eyes looked at him, feeling sad for leaving him behind and in such a cruel way, but it was for the best.
"Look who returned boys," Pintel said, being the first one to notice her.
Some of the crewmen circled her but it was Barbossa who climbed down the bridge, heading towards her. "I will admit, I had doubt you would come," he said, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
She turned to look at him, masking any emotion and regret she had. "Here is my end of the deal, I expect you to keep yours," she said and handed him the rolled-up map.
He gave a theatrical bow, one hand extended and motioning towards the ship. "After you, First Mate".
The Black Pearl had already sailed, and once a safe distance from the port, Barbossa decided to open the map. Placing it on the table, all of his crew gathered around. All but Artemis who had made herself comfortable on the crow's nest.
The pearl had been repaired and so did her spot, being as comfy and nostalgic as she remembered. She had her necklace out, the shell open and the music playing. She could barely hear Barbossa shouting Jack's name, once he opened the map and found the hole, never suspecting her.
With a smirk, she listened to the music. The lyrics suddenly having a new meaning as the song in her memory was brought back to the surface.
"Cruel and cold… like winds on the seas…Will you ever return to me…Hear my voice, sing with the tide…Our love will never die…." She smiled, looking up to the sky as a crow flew past them.
Jack was in another small boat with a tall mast, a temporary ship for him for the moment. He lifted his own pirate flag with a skull wearing a bandanna and a red flying sparrow to the side. He unrolled the centre of the Jack that had been left for him.
It was very unusual and unexpected when he woke up and found Artemis gone. Yet, she had left him this and he had taken the ring that he had made for her. He was not sure what that meant but he did not lose all of his hopes. With the charts in his position, he decided to follow the next adventure. Deep down, he knew that their paths would meet again,
He slightly sang the word to a familiar song, forever in his memory. " A pirate's life for me *hums* Drink up, me hearties, yo ho. We're devils and black sheep, and really bad eggs... Drink up, me hearties, yo ho"
