Jack cut down every man who got in his way as he headed towards the beach. Even other pirates. He had no sympathy for anyone, no patience to go around them. His only goal was to get off the island with Angelica safely. And Teague? He could care less about that man, the one who'd killed his mother and lied to him about it for years.

His sword was dripping with the blood of both soldiers and other pirates alike by the time he finally reached the beach. His dark eyes scanned the area for Angelica and Grogan. He spotted the man and his bag of supplies lying further down the beach. He was bloody and not moving. Dead, Jack knew. Soldiers controlled most of the beach. Angelica was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she?" He muttered to himself aloud.

She better not be dead. C'mon, 'Gelica, show yourself. I know ye're 'ere somewhere.

He jumped as he felt a hand on his back and heard a familiar voice.

"Where were you, Sparrow?" Angelica hissed at him.

He turned to face her, not telling her exactly what happened. "Teague had to talk to me about somethin'. Says we've lost a lot of men."

"Yes, Jack, there's only few men left. Only the Black Pearl is still up. The other ship sank." She accepted his answer, not pushing it. Then she saw the grim look on his face and the anger in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothin'." Jack lied again, shaking his head to snap out of it. He forced a small smile when he saw the concern in her eyes. "I'm fine, love. Don't worry 'bout it."

"Grogan's dead." She changed the subject.

"Aye, I know." He responded. "The beach is crawlin' with British men."

Suddenly, a chill went up his spine and they both froze. Screams came in unison from the ships. He smirked widely as he spotted the mermaids finally helping, taking down British ships. Several ships begun to quickly sink at once. Several more followed soon after. Screeches from the mythical creatures sounded in the air as well as gun and cannon shots. The men were trying to fight back. He snorted, knowing it was hopeless for them.

"They're listening…" Angelica murmured, awestruck.

"Aye, they are." He nodded, his smile fading as he remembered the task at hand. He gently shook her arm. "They're distracted, we can try to get to the Pearl now. Then I can steer her away from 'ere- they won't see us through the smoke."

"You really think we can make it?" She asked, looking at him as she snapped out of her daze.

"We've made it this far." Jack reminded her. "We can make it."

"What about your father?" She questioned.

"Couldn't care less." He admitted in a toneless voice as he looked for a way to get to the water's edge without getting noticed.

"What happened?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

Most of the soldiers had headed back to the longboats and were rowing back to their ships to assist the rest of their men. This was the time to make a move.

"I already told ye, it's all fine." He replied impatiently. "Come on! Let's go now, before they realize what's happenin'!"

Jack grabbed Angelica's arm and practically dragged her onto the open beach from the safety of the borderline trees. She nearly yelled at him as she tried to pull free until she remembered that they were right behind a group of soldiers who currently had their backs towards them. She pitched her elbow into his ribcage and he doubled-over, releasing her with a groan. She grabbed him to steady him, glaring at him.
"You deserved that." She commented.

"Did I?" He growled at her mostly in anger over recent events than pain as he finally regained his balance,"I was makin' sure ye'd come."

"Oh, I'm coming, Jack." Her eyes met his challengingly.

"Good." He responded coldly, turning from her and racing across the beach to the water.

"Hey! You! Stop right there, pirates!" A voice shouted at them.

Jack froze in his tracks, glancing back at Angelica with a sigh. "Told ye we needed to go…"

"Now what is your plan?" She asked in an annoyed tone.

"Go, steal a longboat and get to the Pearl." He ordered. He drew his red stained blade, glancing from her to the soldiers and back again. "I'll hold 'em off."

"But, Jack-" She tried.

"Go!" He shouted at her, shoving her towards the water more roughly than intended.

The soldiers ran toward them and he drew his pistol now, firing and taking one out. He knew he didn't have time to reload the gun and tossed it aside. He clashed with the first of the soldiers, dispatching him easily with a stab through the chest. He heard a gunshot and felt something pierce the skin of his back before he could turn to face the soldiers again. He let out a howl of pain as he whipped around to face them.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Angelica ducking behind the dinghy and watching instead of making a row for it. Her face was distorted in a look of worry.

Jack grabbed the sword of the fallen soldier and threw it through the stomach of an incoming man, who tumbled and then lay motionless. With his own sword, he locked blades with another. They dueled for a few moments before he tripped the soldier and stabbed him through the back. He saw a dagger flying through the air towards him, but couldn't react quickly enough. It plunged itself into his peg-leg, doing no harm to him, thankfully. He ripped it from the now damaged black wood and threw it back, watching with satisfaction as it hit home in the man's neck. Only one man remained, hanging back nervously and aiming his musket at him.

"Don't fire that, mate!" He called over to him.

Too late.

A shot rang out and pain exploded in his left shoulder. He yelped in pain and surprise. The impact knocked him onto his back in the sand. He scrambled to get up, but failing miserably as he tripped on the wooden leg and landed face-first in the sand. The soldier rushed in as the pirate captain had almost gotten to his hands and knees. It was too late to do react and stop what was about to happen.

The butt of the soldier's musket connect with his other shoulder, whacking him completely onto his back. Then it slammed into the side of his head and his vision became unsteady. But he still held his sword tightly in his right hand. With one last battle cry of determination, he stabbed the bloody metal blade straight through the man's heart. He saw the body fall limp and lifeless beside him.

"It's Sparrow!"

"Get him!"

The voices of more incoming soldiers rang out and the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps filled the air. Jack desperately attempted to get up, but he collapsed, two musket shots having drained him of his remaining strength. He watched helplessly as the men got nearer, swords at the ready.

"Jack!" Angelica screamed his name, their gazes meeting. "Get up! ¡Levántate!"

"I can't…" He mumbled, though she was much too far away to be able to hear.

He pulled himself closer to the soldier's corpse, rolling it over onto its back. He gripped the handle of his sword and pulled it from the body before rolling onto his back again, just in time to lift his newly recovered blade to meet an attacking one. He was too exhausted and pained to do anything but defend clumsily. His heart pounded anxiously as he desperately parried swords. A feeling of doom had settled upon him.

This wasn't going to end the way he wanted it to. He was certain of it.

Suddenly, he remembered something. He remembered watching the wound on Angelica's hand seal up within seconds. She was immortal! How could he have forgotten? She could save him.

"Angelica!" He shouted as loudly as he could, hoping she heard and got the idea.

A kick in the ribs made him cry out in agony. He nearly lost his grip on the sword in his hands.

*X*

Angelica's heart wrenched at the sound of him calling for her desperately. But she didn't understand what he wanted from her. What could she do to help him? He was practically covered in soldiers who were trying to break through his weak defenses. She heard him cry out and she felt as helpless as ever.

You coward! She yelled at herself mentally. You should help him! They'll find you too!

But she couldn't bring herself to move and remained hidden behind the longboat.

*X*

Bloody woman! He thought, realizing she wasn't coming.

Jack had run out of ideas and was running out of energy too. He let out another loud whimper as a sharp blade connected with his right forearm and a bright red liquid trailed down it. His foot slammed into someone's ankle and he heard a groan from one of the soldiers.

Someone else shouted his name, a much deeper, familiar voice he couldn't quite place. The soldiers left him and headed after the new target. Beaten, bruised, and bloody, all he could do was put the blade down beside him. He heard footsteps coming towards him and sighed, presuming it was a soldier who was about to end him. Instead, he felt soft hands on the sides of his head and found himself looking at Angelica.

"Jack…" Her eyes were wide and moist. A single tear trailed down her face.

"It-it's fine, love." He answered weakly. "It's alright."

He reached up and wiped the tear from her cheek, caressing it.

"You're dying." She murmured. "You're not fine."

He attempted a weak smile, but he knew it probably made him look more pathetic as he lay there. "Why aren't ye helpin'?" He asked, light-heartedly. "Ye're immortal, remember?"

A guilty, self-angry look covered her face. "I-"

"Ye forgot." He managed a soft, bitter chuckle.

"I'm so sorry…" She pressed her head to his. "I love you, Jack."

"I know." Jack assured her. "As do I, 'Gelica. As do I."

The sound of the fighting men got closer until they were practically right next to them. A gunshot made him jump, considering it was right next to them. A loud groan sounded and a familiar looking man was lying on the ground next to him. It was no one but the Keeper of the Code himself.

"I'm sorry, Jackie." Teague told him, his voice just above a whisper.

Their eyes met for a few seconds. He saw pity in his father's gaze.

Jack's own anger flared for a moment and he said something he'd probably come to regret. "I'm not."

"I know." The older man responded, the light leaving his eyes. "I love ye, boy."

He turned as he heard Angelica scream his name. A few soldiers were holding her back and had taken away her sword. A foot connected with the side of his head and he gasped, his vision blurring wildly. He glanced back at Teague, who now lay lifelessly beside him.

Someone hoisted him up from under the arms. Another ripple of pain flew through his recently shot shoulder and he struggled hopelessly to get free. Another soldier took one of his arms from the first and the two of them began dragging him across the beach, to one of the longboats in the water.

Jack lost consciousness wishing it was all a dream.