OptimusPrime2017 presents to you,

A Pirates of the Caribbean Fanfiction:

Darkness And Despair

Prologue:

"Cap'n, sails on the horizon!" The Black Pearl's first mate, a porky Irish man, called from the bow of the ship. He had graying hair and sideburns. Lines on his face suggested that he smiled quite a bit. But he wasn't now. His brow was creased with worry as he glanced across the dark deck of the magnificent vessel.

At the helm stood a very unique character. The man had long, dark dreadlocks with various beads and trinkets weaved among them and in his twin braided beard. A red bandanna held them all in their place, out of the way. A worn, black tricorn hat sat atop his head. He wore an off-white shirt, a black vest atop of it. Various belts and sashes crossed his torso and his thin waist. He wore dark brown trousers, lighter brown boots folded over at his knees. Several objects hung from his belt, including a pistol, a baldric containing a sword, and a box shaped item- a shut compass. It was this man who answered the first mate's warning call. His deep, rich voice rang through the air. "How many?" The words were calm, yet high in volume. He didn't seem worried about the threat yet.

"Four, sir!" An adolescent's voice came from high up in the crow's nest. The boy's figure was hard to make out from down below, but he had long brown hair. "Royal Navy! A schooner, brig, and two frigates!"

"Oh, bloody 'ell." The captain frowned, momentary worry and fear clouding his features. Then they were replaced by disbelief. "Gibbs, is the lad right?"

"Aye, sir!" The porky-built first mate, Joshamee Gibbs, shouted across the ship.

"Captain, they've spotted us!" The boy in the crow's nest yelled down to him. "They've prepared their cannons!"

The captain visibly stiffened, jaw clenching for a moment. Then he began shouting out orders. "All hands, prepare the cannons! Hoist the colors! Get the Pearl ready for battle!"

Men jumped up from scrubbing the deck and came out from below. They were in a state of panic, having overheard the numbers of the enemy. They scrambled to do as their captain commanded, some trembling too much to load muskets. Some looked at their captain as if he'd gone mad- many upon the seas thought he had, not that it wasn't half true. Within a minute, the Jolly Roger was up, whipping in the wind. Another minute and the cannons would be ready.

Gibbs had made his way over to the helm. "Jack, do ye really plan on fightin' them?"

"It's Captain Jack Sparrow to ye, Gibbs." The captain corrected arrogantly. "And, aye, if we 'ave to, that's what we will do."

"But, Cap'n, it's four against one!" The first mate protested.

"I know that." Sparrow told him grimly. He could see the approaching ships pretty well now. They were headed towards the Black Pearl, the schooner speeding ahead. It was mighty close, likely to reach them within the minute. "Prepare to shoot down that schooner!"

A couple of long moments passed by before cannon fire rocketed through the air. A smoky haze hovered around the Pearl as her cannons worked. Screams of pain and the splintering of wood came from the direction of the schooner. The voice of a man came, clearly one of the Navy trying to bargain for his life. The sound of bubbling water was all that could be heard for a minute longer, before silence took over.

The schooner had sunk.

"Gibbs, damage report." The Pearl's captain demanded.

"Minor damage, Cap'n." The first mate answered. "No casualties."

"Good." Sparrow looked at the brig and two frigates, trying to form a plan. "Reckon if we sail through them, they'll shoot each other?"

"Aye, maybe." Gibbs answered his question. "But, Cap'n-"

"Shut it." He growled. "I know what I'm doin', mate." A tense silence fell over the Black Pearl as the crew waited nervously. The enemy ships continued to sail straight for them, and Captain Sparrow didn't alter their course either. He turned to Gibbs. "Are the cannons ready?"

"Aye."

"Good. We're goin' to need 'em."

"I don't doubt it."

"Prepare to fire!" Sparrow ordered the crew, seeing that the enemy ships were closing in. Within moments, they were within firing range and he let out the command they'd all been waiting for. "Fire!"

The loud shots rang through the air. Screams of pain from the Pearl and the attackers sounded. Splintering would could be heard amongst the chaos too. The Black Pearl trembled with each successful hit to her frame. She made it through the ships, and they had to take the extra time to turn around to give chase.

The Pearl's captain nodded to his first mate. "Throw over some of the barrels."

"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" Gibbs turned to the stern of the ship, where several barrels full of gunpowder sat in waiting. He grabbed a couple and threw them over the back of the ship.

Sparrow risked a glance back at the enemies. He smirked as one of the frigates was unable to swerve one of the barrels and hit it. An explosion sounded and a whole appeared in the hull. The enemy frigate began sinking, long boats full of men dropping off the side and heading for the brig.

He began twisting the wheel hard to the left, throwing all of his weight into the spin. Within moments they had turned so that the cannons faced the brig. "Focus on the brig!"

The brig, those men had been helping the frigate's survivors, was unprepared for the force of the Pearl's cannons. Screams erupted and men jumped ship to join the frigate's survivors in their boats. The brig's main mast crumbled to the deck, tipping over port side and smashing the railing as it went overboard. A well placed cannonball hit the hull of the brig at the waterline and water began flooding in.

Sparrow knew that the brig was done for and turned the ship toward the remaining frigate. The frigate was ready. He could see that the men were eager to fight them. A bad feeling overcame him then, but he pushed it aside. They'd taken care of three ships without major damage, why couldn't they take care of this last one?

"Orders, Cap'n?" Gibbs came up to his side.

"Weaken that frigate enough to board her." He told him.

The first mate went off to repeat the orders to the crew. The sounds of the men reloading the cannons reassured the captain, clearing the tension from his mind. The two ships grew nearer to each other. Within a few moments, they were side by side, cannons firing into the opponent's ship with loud bangs. The Pearl groaned and creaked beneath her crew's feet and worry creased the captain's brow. "Hold on jus' a little longer…"

"Cap'n, she's ready for boardin'!" An excited cry came from down on the deck.

"Thank bloody God." Sparrow muttered under his breath in relief. He rose his voice to call back. "Throw the boardin' hooks!"

The men threw long ropes that had hooks attached to the end. Most of them wrapped around the frigate's railing, pulling her towards the Pearl. Once they were within range, the pirate captain grabbed a rope and swung across. His crew followed suite.

Sparrow landed aboard the frigate, drawing his cutlass. He engaged with several Navy men at once, parrying their blows with ease. His footwork as he fought was mastered and he moved with confidence. He quickly dispatched the men, turning to make his way to the ship's helm with hopes of catching the captain off guard.

He parried a blade aimed for his neck, whipping around so fast that he slashed the attacker's torso before he could blink. In his peripheral view, he spotted a fist flying towards his face. He ducked and the man tripped over him, head hitting the deck and knocking himself unconscious. The Pearl's captain smirked in amusement, turning to continue to rest of the journey to the helm. He reached it, spotting a more elaborately dressed Navy man- an officer, likely the captain.

Sparrow's gaze met that of the Navy captain's. The man turned and took the few steps needed to reach him, blade drawn. He thrust it forward at Sparrow, who parried and swiped at the man's legs. Overconfident, the pirate didn't expect the force of the next blow. His sword nearly slipped from his grasp as he pushed back against the other's sword.

"Filthy pirate." The man growled.

With a look of mock offense, the Pearl's captain kicked the Navy man's leg out from underneath him. The man collapsed forward, knocking Sparrow over as well as he collapsed atop of him. But he still had a good hold on his sword. He flipped it around so it was in stabbing position. The pirate's eyes widened and he struggled to free himself, but to no avail.

The blade pierced the stretch of skin that connected his neck and right shoulder. Blood splattered everywhere, an overwhelming pain filled his neck and shoulder. A loud whimpering grunt noise escaped him as the Navy officer twisted the metal, causing more damage than necessary. His right hand released his own sword, his left struggling to grab the one in his body.

"Gibbs!" He hoarsely called out, desperate with pain.

"Cap'n!" His first mate called back from somewhere within the chaos.

Sparrow put all of his strength into his legs, kicking the Navy man in the groin and effectively knocking him off. He tried to pull the sword free, but his body was too weak. He tried to sit up, but felt light headed and collapsed back to the deck. He spotted his first mate rushing up the stairs of the quarter deck. The man quickly slammed the hilt of his sword into the Navy captain's head, effectively knocking him completely unconscious.

"Gibbs…" The Pearl's captain gasped out. "Pull the sword out."

"But, Ja-"

"Now!"

"A-aye, sir!" Gibbs consented.

The older man gripped the hilt of the weapon and gave a tug as gentle as one could with a sword. Sparrow's face contorted in pain as the sword slid from his body. He heard it drop to the deck and he glanced to the injured area. The whole right shoulder and most of the right side of the collar were stained red by his blood. He could see the reddish tint to the wood beneath him too.

He forced himself to sit up, stretching his left arm across his body to grab his sword. He didn't want to strain his injured right arm. With the help of his first mate, he got to his feet.

The battle had been restrained to the main deck. Bodies- both pirate and Navy- littered the bloodied planks. The pirates seemed to be cornered on the side of the ship closest to the Pearl. Some seemed determined on pushing forward, despite the situation. They were battered and most of them injured, fear alighting their eyes. Sparrow frowned.

"Tell the crew to retreat, back to the Pearl." He muttered to his companion.

"...Aye." Gibbs agreed after taking in the sight. He drew his sword and raced down from the quarter deck, the words "Retreat to the Pearl!" filling the air as he went.

Sparrow followed him, favoring his right arm. The two men cut and hacked their way through Navy men, clearing a safe route back to the Black Pearl for their crew. The pirates caught on immediately, and took said route back to their own ship, boarding her with gratefullness. The pirate captain nodded to hs first mate, telling him to follow suite. Gibbs obeyed, fending off soldiers as he did.

Now, only one pirate remained on the Navy ship. Captain Sparrow fought them off- they were worse in combat than the pirates themselves- with ease. The only problem was the fact that he was hopelessly outnumbered.

He slashed and hacked at them wildly, a desperate ferociousness that was his life. But it was pointless, when he couldn't defend each side of himself at once. An unseen sword slashed at him from behind, cutting into his back. All of his strength dissipated and he collapsed to his knees with a cry of pain, sword leaving his hand. He felt cool metal against his neck and he knew that there was no escape.

"Cap'n!" Gibbs shouted from aboard the Pearl, clearly worried.

Sparrow mustered the strongest voice he could. "Go!"

"We're not leavin' without-"

"Do it! Go! Get out of 'ere, Mr. Gibbs!"

"But, Cap'n-" The Pearl's first mate tried to protest.

Something metal slammed into the pirate captain's forehead hard and he gasped, pain blinding him.

"Stop talking to your captain, or we kill him." Sparrow's captor, most likely the first mate of the Navy ship, demanded. "Take what's left of your crew and leave now, or you will be forced to come with us to Port Royal."

The Pearl's crew froze, hesitating.

"What 'bout our cap'n?" Gibbs called across to the Navy officer. "Can we 'ave him back?"

"No. Your captain is what we came for. He is what we will take." The man retorted.

Another slam to the pirate's face had his crew grimace, imagining the pain themselves. Sparrow was sure he had some dark bruises forming, if not dents in his skull. He felt more than a little light headed. The ground spun- everything he could see spun wildly.

"Blood 'ell, Gibbs, listen to him!" He snarled through the pain.

Another hard strike to the head for talking out of term had Sparrow laying unconscious on the deck of the ship. His crew stood motionless, watching with shock. A few men looked up to Gibbs hopefully, but the poor man was dumbstruck. The sound of the Navy men loading their cannons snapped him out of his daze.

"Cap'n's right…" He muttered quietly.

"Sir?" The cabin boy, who'd previously been in the crow's nest, had come down. His voice was tinted with uncertainty, and a hint of fear. "What do we do?"

"We 'ave to leave 'ere." The first mate decided.

"But what about the captain?" The lad asked, frowning in concern for the unconscious man.

"What's your name, lad?"

"Stiles Karver, sir."

"Don't worry, Mr. Karver. Cap'n Jack'll be alright. Always is. We'll repair the Pearl an' come back for him if he 'asn't already escaped by then." Gibbs promised.

Young Karver nodded. "...What do you command, sir?"

The man smiled at the lad's change of spirit. "Full sail! Cotton, at the helm!"

A/N: As I was writing this, I began to like the cabin boy as a character. I decided to name him so that I can possibly make a solo story for him in the near future.

Disclaimer: Speaking of characters, I only own the plot and young Stiles Karver. Everyone and everything else belongs to Disney.

Summary: Torture fic- implied rape. After a failed plan, Captain Jack Sparrow ends up in the hands of the Royal Navy once again. However, this time, the crew seems intent on making his life a living hell. Now on a ship back to Port Royal, he needs two things; to contact his crew for a rescue mission and to keep his sanity. Will he be rescued before he's too far gone?