A/N: Still writing. Or attempting to. Being an adult sucks ass. I am actually enjoying finally giving decent life to this terrible sue from my childhood.

It wasn't long before The Interceptor was drifting on choppy waves back into the craggy inlet at the Isla de Muerta. Eleanor had spent too much of the journey watching Jack steer the helm confidently, peering all the while at his compass with his dark gleaming eyes. Her legs were pulled tightly up to her chest and she had managed to make herself as tiny as she possibly could by setting her chin down on her bony knees.

"Why the long face?" Sora leaned in over her, to look into her carefully veiled face. "Come on we have way bigger things to think about? Remember? Cursed pirates, stolen gold, heartless on the attack?"

She tucked a curl behind her ear and looked up to the blue eyed young man. "But there's just the….. You know. It means I can't stay here. I'm not.. Normal."

Sora shrugged and gave her a toothy grin. "Neither am I."

Eleanor opened her mouth to answer, but Jack hauled her to her feet and narrowed his eyes at her. "Stop moping. Didn't I teach you better?" He let out a breath and turned to his haphazard crew. "Now we best get a move on. Will and his bonnie lass won't be alive much longer without our assistance."

A chilled wind blew over the deck of The Interceptor and pulled a light misty fog along with it. Jack lead the ragtag band off the ship and onto the rocky shore. Eleanor stumbled as she stepped onto the craggy rocks and Goofy caught her gently by the elbow.

"Got ya." He smiled sheepishly.

"Thank you." The petite pirate muttered.

Jack rolled his gleaming eyes. "It's a touch ominous out."

"I'll say. You think those pirates will come out and attack us again?" Sora leaned into the cavern where they had been attacked before. "I'm ready for them this time."

"Be careful what you wish for mate." Eleanor whispered to him, as she too leaned into the damp cavern. She set a hand between his shoulder blades so she could peer around. "Who knows who could be listening."

"You don't actually think they'll attack us again?" Donald was suddenly under her elbow, tapping his bill with a concerned expression.

Goofy clutched his shield to his chest and stepped into the space between the three. "What if we can't fight them off?"

"You think we wouldn't be able to handle a bunch of pirates?" Sora looked back defensively.

"You don't know what they're capable of." Eleanor responded, peering back up at Sora.

"This is maddeningly unhelpful." Jack strode into the shadowy cavern. "If you all just stand around all day there's no telling what will happen to Will and old what's her name. Don't tell me your scared?"

Sora set his jaw and took a step forward, causing the entire group that was smashed together to lurch forward. Eleanor twirled in a circle to keep her balance, as Goofy steadied himself on her shoulders and Donald fell into a puddle on the ground at her feet.

"I'm not scared of anything." Sora marched after Jack's sauntering form.

Not to be outdone, Donald scrambled to his feet and after Sora, but not before summoning his wand into his feathered hands. "Neither am I."

Eleanor and Goofy exchanged a look. The second gulped and the first looped her hands through the crook of his arm before they proceeded into the cavern.

"Please be careful Sora." Eleanor's quiet voice bounced off of the craggy walls as she heard him stumble.

"You kidding?" He was suddenly at her side with a bright grin. "I'm the definition of careful." He held out his arm for her. "My lady."

She took his arm on her other side and managed a smile.

They picked their way down the cave with the sound of Barbossa's angry shouts to guide them. Eleanor kept one of her hands tucked around Goofy's arm and the other around Sora's elbow. As the rounded the corner to overlook the treasure room. Barbossa stood on a mound of glittering treasure. He had Will tied and gagged beside him as he shouted out to his pirate crew who were cheering.

"That's the Aztec Treasure I was telling you lads about." She grabbed Donald by the back of the collar so she could whisper to them all at once. "Please don't underestimate them."

Donald scowled as Goofy grimaced.

"He sounds angry." Sora leaned towards Jack, who quickly hushed him with a hand over his mouth.

"Angry is an understatement. Imagine you had been cursed and unable to eat anything for ten years mate." He rolled his gleaming eyes. "Vengeful or pure hatred might suit this situation more aptly, saavy?"

"Don't joke please Jack Sparrow. This is not the time nor the place." Eleanor could feel annoyance bubbling up in her chest. "That man will kill you and not bat a single greasy eyelash. Do you understand what I'm saying?" When there was no witty retort from her pirate captain, she turned. Sora, Donald and Goofy were watching in horror as Jack sauntered fearlessly through the angry mob f quickly quieting pirates.

"You can't be serious." Donald muttered in disbelief.

Sora cracked a huge grin. "I am not about to let him have all the fun!"

"No Sora stop. Please, you don't know what you're doing." Eleanor whispered after him as Goofy hesitated and then followed Donald and Sora and Jack by extension. "Oh you cannot be serious. Wait!" She hissed and ran after the others.

"Well, well, well Captain Barbossa. Looks as though you've won this round, wouldn't it seem." Jack stopped at the head of the pirate crew with a flourish and an overly sarcastic tone. The cave fell into silence.

Barbossa's narrowed his gaze. "That's impossible."

"Improbable." Jack corrected.

Barbossa snarled. "How many times do I have to kill you."

Hands grabbed at Sora, Donald, Goofy and Eleanor. The pirate crew pulled them back from where Jack faced off with Barbossa. "Jack!" Eleanor managed to scream.

"You have to get Will out of here." Sora got her attention. "Get him back to the ship. Donald you go with them. Got it?"

"Yes of course but-"

Sora fought himself free. "Watch yourself Barbossa."

He laughed loudly and drew his sword. "Kiddies want to play pirates, huh? Best leave the games in the nursery. Get after them."

In a bright flash, Sora's keyblade filled his hands. He clenched his jaw.

Barbossa's eyes widened minutely and he took a half step away from Sora. "He warned me about that. Pete the tides have changed."

A deep laugh filled the cavern and in a puff of smoke, Pete appeared on top of the treasure beside Barbossa. His wide arms carelessly knocked Will off the back side of the mound of coins with a chorus of metallic clinks. Eleanor held her breath. She would have to get around to him as fast as she could. She turned her attention back to Pete.

"The heartless are at your service Captain." He snapped his fingers and with a few jerking movements, the pirate crew holding them transformed into twitching shadow creatures with swords. "Good luck kiddos." With that Pete was gone and there was nothing but an impending battle.

"Eleanor, get to Will and get him out of here." Donald summoned a few bolts of lightning to free himself from the grasp of the heartless. "Hurry up! Before something happens!

"Right." She slipped out of the group of heartless, with some help from Goofy who had smashed through the shadows with his shield. She stumbled over the rocks to Will's side. He was struggling to undo the ties holding his hands. "Here, here. Let me Will."

"We have to get back up there. The medallion needs to be put back otherwise Jack won't be able to defeat Barbossa." He pulled the cloth from his mouth and immediately stood.

"Thanks would be in order.." Eleanor eyed him critically. "We have to get you out of here. You're unarmed and the heartless-"

"Do you want your captain to die? You'll find it in our best interest to stay and put this back where it came from." The blacksmith pulled the last piece of Aztec gold from under his shirt. "You have that blade don't you?"

Eleanor raised a single dark eyebrow. "Well yes."

Will set a hand on her wrist. "I'm sorry for everything I said. It was rude and without you and your Captain I would be dead. We have to work together now to save Captain Jack. We should have been from the start."

She nodded. "Jack would be proud." She stood and with a little effort, summoned the ancient looking keyblade. "Let's get you around to that chest shall we?"

They battled their way through the swarm of heartless, all the while keeping an eye on Jack and Barbossa, who were fighting along the outer edge of the cave. And Sora, Donald and Goofy who were valiantly defeating the heartless splashing through the water that sat in pools, and full of scattered treasure, no matter how many more sprung into their places.

"This way." Will's voice cut through her thoughts. "We must hurry."

Eleanor found herself locked in place. Her eyes locked with Jack's, from across the cavern. Her Captain stood face to face with Captain Barbossa, the dark menacing figure who stood half in the moonlight and half out. His sword glinted dangerously.

"No Jack!" Her voice squeaked as Barbossa's sword sliced through his middle. "No!" she took a few steps forward before Will's hand stopped her.

"Captain!" Sora's voice came next. The heartless had evaporated with a wave of Barbossa's hand.

"You can't beat me Jack." Barbossa hissed through his yellow teeth.

"We have to get the medallion back with the others." Will said at her ear.

"Go. I have to.. I have to.." She held a hand back to Will, before sprinting towards her Captain with tears stinging her eyes but her keyblade clenched firmly in her hands. "Jack!"

"Stay back girl." Barbossa didn't turn to her but his sharp voice made her stop. "Jack Sparrow I will watch you die with my own eyes this time. No more surprise returns."

The Captain stumbled back and into the moonlight. Eleanor's tears evaporated as his body changed into the skeletal form of the cursed pirates. "Thought this might come in handy." He pulled one of the pieces of cursed fold from the folds of his clothes and gave Barbossa a gold toothed grin. He glanced up to the pile and Will standing over the chest. After a quick fumble, he pulled his rifle. "Stand down Barbossa."

"Take your shot Sparrow."

"Plan to." The gun shot rang out sharply through the rocky cavern.

An eerie silence followed, as both pirate captains glared at one another. Eleanor managed to keep a bubbling anger in her chest down and held her breath, saying a silent prayer that the curse had been broken and there were no more tricks to be had in the echoing cavern. Barbossa's hands went slack, his sword clattered to the ground and he pulled open his embellished coat to reveal blood blossoming over his chest.

"All this time you carry that pistol." He whispered, disbelieving. He let out a scoff before returning his wide eyed gaze to Jack, who still held the smoking pistol aimed carefully at Barbossa. "I feel cold."

He fell to the ground with an undignified thud and suddenly Jack's hand was on her shoulder. "I did what I had to love, can't expect more out of me you know that. Understand?" He pulled her forward. "With me lads no, we've won but we best flee before more of those monsters come back."

Sora hesitated. "And just leave him.. There?"

"His crew will return and if they don't, Davy Jones will have a fine addition to his crew." Jack shuddered.

"But-" Goofy started.

"But nothing. What's done is done." Jack cut him off.

Sora's gaze met Eleanor's and she tried to tell him there was nothing they could do. That everything would be okay and the battle was won. She wasn't sure if the message was received but he nodded and his face got steely before he marched to her side.

"We better hurry then. Come on guys before anyone comes back."

They returned to the boat and an awkward heavy silence settled as Jack got them ready to return to Port Royal. Elizabeth and Will retreated below deck with Donald and Goofy. Jack stood at the helm with a strange look on his face and Eleanor watched Sora intently from in front of the helm. The sun was setting and casting shadows all over the deck and his bright blue eyes watched the horizon as if something was going to change. His expression would light with wonder whenever they crested over a particularly impressive wave and his fingers would tighten around the rigging. His focus made her smile. He was a complete mystery.

"He's that boy you were dreaming about. I know it." Jack's voice made her jump. "You and him have some sorta connection that I haven't quite put me fingers on yet, saavy."

"I wouldn't say all that. But he is handsome isn't he?" She stole a glance up at Jack who narrowed his gaze in Sora's direction and muttered something under his breath. "I don't know what to make of him to be honest. He's hard to figure out."

"Not from here, I can tell you that without any kinda doubt. And that weapon of his is funny too. Go ask him then we'll both know." He stumbled back to his post behind the helm, leaving Eleanor with a silent moment before she let out a held breath and slipped down the stairs.

"Is everything okay over here?" Eleanor cleared her throat as her fingers ran lightly over the worn wood of the railing Sora was leaning against. "If you keep staring at the sun like that you'll go blind.. And we wouldn't want that now would we?" She came to a stop beside him and he turned his blinding gaze to her.

"Everything's perfect! This is the most fun I've had in so long. I've always wanted to be a pirate! You know secretly between you and me." He whispered the end.

Eleanor laughed. "You're secrets safe with me Sora."

His laughter tapered off and he turned back to the sea with a bright smile lighting his face. A breeze rolled through his hair and she returned to studying his face carefully. The sun had set completely, leaving only the grey afterglow and the hint of stars beginning to twinkle over them.

"You know.." She cleared her throat awkwardly as she tried desperately to find a place to begin. "There was this dream I used to have. Every night for as long as I can remember I would have this same dream."

Sora turned his attention back to her as the sky got darker. "Tell me."

"I'm in this strange world, wielding the oddest weapon and about to face an enemy I know I could never hope to defeat. And then you.." She trailed off carefully and searched his eyes. "You tell me not to stay. You tell me it's dangerous and that I will surely die if I stay, but if I don't you will die. And so I try to explain myself, but when I open my mouth I have no voice. And your lips move but no words come from them. Then the world shatters and suddenly I'm falling." She looked down at the wood under her fingertips. "Jack always said I was crazy. That it never meant anything. But here you are. Just the way you always appeared in my dreams and the keyblade of course." She looked up to him to find his eyes had wandered back to the inky waves. The sun was completely gone now and the waves reflected the shining stars like a second sky. "Sora." She barely whispered.

"Hm."

"Can I ask you a question."

"Anything at all." His voice was quiet too as he turned back to her.

"The heartless are here because of me. Aren't they?"

"They're drawn to the light. It's in their nature." He answered honestly.

She nodded and worried her lip. "Then, I take it that I can't stay here-"

"Hey! No sad faces!" His warm hands were suddenly on either side of her face. "Smile big and bright because there is nothing but huge adventures in the future." He grinned at her.

"Going with you then am I?" She managed as he squished her cheeks together.

"Course!" His hands dropped back to his sides. "Where else would you go? Plus we still need to figure out those dreams of yours and everything. Plus friends don't leave friends behind and all that. You're one of us now." His voice was suddenly incredibly sincere and she smiled.

"Hope I'm up to it then." She whispered.

They sailed through the night to return Will and Elizabeth to Port Royal. When the sun rose high into the sky the next day they were already back in open water. Sora, Donald and Goofy pulled Eleanor in front of Jack. Her fingers twisted themselves around Goofy's sleeve and she stood mostly behind him as Sora cleared his throat to get the pirate's attention from steering their vessel.

"You lot skipping out already are you?" He said without looking up from his compass or the helm that his limp hand rested lazily off of.

" 'fraid so Captain. We've got to go." Sora started.

"To other worlds I imagine." The witty captain said with a sigh.

Goofy hopped backwards and Eleanor stumbled back into Sora who steadied her. "How did you know that?"

"Lucky guess." Donald grumbled.

"And you'll be kidnapping my first mate will you not?"

"Gawrsh-" Goofy muttered.

"Sora."

"Yessir?"

"You want to be a good pirate right? Steer the ship lad. Straight as an arrow." He let go of the helm and Sora half panicked and jumped forward to grab it. "Eleanor, with me please." He sauntered down the steps towards the cabin.

After a quick glance at Sora she ran to catch up with him. "Of course Jack."

The cabin of the Black Pearl was dark, damp and cluttered with maps and books. Jack leaned up against the huge heavy desk with his dark eyes trained on her as she shut the door with a creak behind her.

"Is everything alight-"

"You didn't mention that key meant you had to leave off with some perfect strangers." He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"I am so sorry Jack I didn't know. Sora told me if I stay those monsters will keep coming. They're attracted to it and me and you'll only be in danger.." She searched his face carefully.

"Relax love."

"I'm scared." Her eyes fall to her boots. "Terrified actually.

"This isn't actually my area of expertise. Bein' supportive or a hero. But I know you'll be alright out there."

She sniffed back a few tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. "You really think so. I don't know if I have it in me."

"Sure you do. I raised you after all, didn't I?" He took a long breath when she didn't look up to him. "Good luck charms all you need kid." He stood up straight and slipped a gold ring from his finger with a huge ruby set in it.

"I can't take it. It's your favorite Jack. I cant.." Tears slipped down her cheeks as he took her hand with a dramatic roll of his dark eyes and slipped it onto her finger.

"Then you'll just have to bring it back to me. Consider yourself in debt and it will come with interest. Foreign gold, understand?" Jack caught her teary gaze. "You'll make me proud."

The door opened with a creak followed by a knock. Sora, Donald and Goofy peeked their heads in through the crack in the cabin door. Eleanor wiped at her cheeks to get rid of her tears but they were quickly replaced by more.

"We gotta get goin' now. Sorry 'bout that." Goofy led the group into the dark cabin

Jack let out a breath and Eleanor desperately looked at Sora for some kind of comfort.

"Come on El. It'll be fine. We'll be back here again before you know it." He held out his hand for her. "I promise we'll keep you safe no matter what."

She managed a weak smile before glancing at Jack again.

"All those dreams will have meant nothin' if you don't take that kid's hand Eleanor." His voice was uncharacteristically serious. "You've got better things to do with your life then hang around with this salty old pirate." He gave her a gold toothed grin and pushed her towards Sora and the door. "Let's move. Come on."

"I'm going, I'm going." She wiped at her cheeks again and took hold of Sora's wrist as they were ushered out onto the deck of the Black Pearl by Jack.

"Get us back to the Gummi Ship Donald, if you don't mind." Goofy grinned as he and the white duck stood side by side in the center of the deck.

Eleanor stopped and Sora jerked to a halt as she hesitated. The ocean breeze danced through her curls and the sunlight twinkled off the water. "I'm not sure I can do it Captain. I don't know if I have it in me."

"You know I'm not good at this Eleanor, you know you've always been family.. Er.. Im proud of you and so on." Jack struggled, then cringed as if the kind words left a sour taste in his mouth. "Out of character and disgusting-"

She let go of Sora to wrap her arms tightly around her Captains waist and bury her face in his layers of clothes. "You're all I've got too."

"Yes well." He cleared his throat and patted her head awkwardly. "Get moving then or they'll leave you behind."

She nodded quickly and returned to Sora's side. Her hand wrapped around his wrist and he moved his hand up to take hers instead. He gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't you worry. No sad faces remember?" He whispered to her. "Let's get out of here Donald."

With a grumble under his breath, Donald waved his wand up to the sky. Eleanor waved at Jack one last time before a blinding white light forced her eyes closed.