Aquatic Kingdom Hearts

Chapter 20: The Cursed Treasure; the Black Pearl vs. the Interceptor pt.2

Back at the Interceptor

It was only a few hours later that the Interceptor had made some fair distance from Isla de Muerta. The ship had made some pretty fair distance, and the crew was still at work getting the ship out of the dreaded cursed waters. However, despite of hope form getting away from the Black Pearl, there was a little despair in the ship. In the galley, sitting at one of the tables, was Ariel. She was resting her head on her arms and on the table, still feeling sorry for herself at the whole occurrence of leaving Eric behind.

But she wasn't alone, for on the table next to her, Sebastian and Dax were looking at her. They could understand what she was going through; Eric had come to save her and he did, and then he stayed behind in the clutches of those cruel, demented, vicious, and cursed pirates. It was somewhat similar when Ariel was forced to leave Eric when Ursula threatened them both. But before they felt saddened by Ariel's mood, Dax had told the two the plan on getting back the Black Pearl before hand.

Sebastian didn't like it one bit as he asked credulously, "Wat kind of man trades a boy's life for a ship?"

"Pirate.", Dax monotonely answered. It was then that the two critters took notice of Ariel, and then Dax asked, "Hey…you feelin' alright, kid?"

Ariel still held her head down, and mumbled in a depressed and squeaky tone, "No."

The two looked to each other, not sure of what to do, so Dax just strolled over to Ariel, and padded her on the head. He then stated reassuringly, "Come on, kid. So Eric stayed behind to try and fight against hopeless odds.", it was then that he pulled out the medallion as he stated, "At least we got away with this, before the pirates got their curse removed…", but then looking at Ariel all depressed, he started to feel a little hopeless himself now, "…you just got to see that things'll come through."

"He's right, Missy.", a familiar voice shot through the room, as the two critters, and Ariel looked to see who it was that spoke up. It was none other than Gibbs, accompanied with Frey as they walked in. And after Frey had sat down, Gibbs explained, "Mr. Thatch'll be alright, as long as Jack's with him."

Then Ariel got her face up and looked to everyone as she asked, "How can you be sure?"

Gibbs smiled as he sat down, and then he explained, "Well, I'll tell ye. Jack Sparrow's capable of gettin' out of any situation whatsoever, with everything going his way. He once disappeared under the eyes of seven agents of the East India Company. He even sacked Nassau Port without even firing a single shot." He then looked confident, now that the kids and sea critters perked up slightly, but Ariel seemed to have the most hopeful look on her face as Gibbs finished, "Without a doubt, Jack'll get the boy outta there along with the Black Pearl back in his possession."

Back at the Black Peal

On board the cursed ship, Barbossa was in his captain's cabin sitting on one side of his table. And on the other side, Jack was negotiating with the captain on a deal to trade the information he knew; with something that Barbossa had that he wanted. Eric was just standing at Jack's side, acting as a bodyguard; so far Barbossa didn't suspect anything at all. The negotiations were going pretty well for Jack and Eric…well, not as good as Eric thought.

Barbossa's face was that of disbelief as he shook his head and chuckled lightly as he asked Jack, "So you expect to leave me standing on some beach with nothing but a name and your word it's the one I need…and watch you sail away on my ship?"

Jack raised an eyebrow, and just simply looked at Barbossa like he didn't get it and answered, "No.". He then stated as he walked over to a chair, explaining once more, "I expect to leave you standing on some beach with absolutely no name at all, watching me sail away on my ship….and then I'll shout the name back to you. Savvy?", he then looked to Eric to reassure his claim; Eric, although slightly confused by the whole conversation, simply nodded.

But then Barbossa, who was still uncertain about this deal, stated once again, "But that still leaves us with the problem of me standing on some beach with naught but a name and your word…it's the one I need."

It was then that Eric had enough of all this crazy talk and just flat out stated, "Well, out of the two of you…", he then pointed to Jack, who was picking out an apple from the fruit tray on the table, "…He wasn't the one who committed mutiny….", and then sat down in one of the chairs as he finished, "So therefore his word is the one you should be trusting."

Jack nodded at that as he too sat down with his apple in hand, explaining while gloating, "Although, I suppose I should be thanking you because in fact, if you hadn't betrayed me and left me to die, I would have an equal share in that curse same as you." He then took a bite of the apple, almost torturing Barbossa as he stated, "Funny ol' word, innit?" All they got from this, was a dissatisfied smirk from Barbossa, whom Jack offered the apple to.

And it was just then, that Bo'sun came in and reported to Barbossa, "Captain, we're coming across the Interceptor."

That got Eric to look at Barbossa with uncertainty as he shot up and declared in his questioning, "Why bother? The girl's not the one."

Barbossa calmly sat up as he walked out towards the door, but not before he answered, "Aye, she ain't the one, but seein' as how you don't have the medallion anymore. I figure she might still have it, and we've spent ten years lookin' for that coin. We ain't about to lose it once more." and with that, he walked out, but with Jack and Eric, following behind him. As soon as they were outside, they walked up the stairs as they neared the Steering Wheel room. With a pair of binoculars, Barbossa spotted the Interceptor with no problems at all.

But just then, Jack got in front of Barbossa's sight as he tried talking him out of blowing the ship, which Jack knew he would do, "I'm havin' a thought here, Barbossa. What say we run up a flag of truce, and me and my associate here scurry over to the Interceptor, and we both negotiate the return of the medallion, eh? What say you to that?"

Barbossa smirked as he stated blankly, "Now ya see, Jack…that be the attitude that lost ya the Pearl.", he then ordered Bo'sun to grab both Jack and Eric as he grabbed Jack's apple and finished, "People are easy to search when they're dead.", and with that, Bo'sun escorted the two roughly to the brig. Barbossa looked at the apple with much thought, and then threw it overboard into the sea.

Back at the Interceptor

The Interceptor was in fast speed; the crew was working diligently, when the worst happened. Both Frey and Ariel were coming back on top, with Ariel feeling a little better. However, their upright feelings became ones of fear as they saw everyone hard at work; something got them all spooked as they saw Gibbs ordering everyone around to make haste and get things done faster. Ariel walked up to Gibbs and asked him, "What's going on?"

Gibbs turned to her for a moment as he answered, "It's the Black Pearl. She's gaining on us." The two teens didn't like that as they ran over to the railing on the right side, and grimaced as they saw the cursed ship following right behind them, with a cloud of fog bellowing behind it. It wasn't close, but it was gaining on them at full speed, without even putting much effort into it.

It was then that Frey ran up the stairs, along with Ariel and Gibbs as he entered the Steering room. He then stated out loud to Anamaria as he couldn't believe this, "Aren't we at top speed? This is the fastest ship we've got in Port Royal."

Anamaria turned towards the boy as she sarcastically said to him, "You can tell Barbossa that when they've caught us."

Then Frey looked to Gibbs as he asked, "If they catch us. What to we do?"

Gibbs thought about it as he answered, "Well, we could always use a Devils Dowry."

Then Anamaria quickly pointed to a startled Ariel, "We'll give them back her."

Frey pointed out, "She's not what they're after.", Dax had informed him of the medallion, and told the little furball to keep it hidden from anyone, especially the pirates on the Black Pearl.

It was then that Ariel looked around the ocean, and spotted a shallow end not far from them. She didn't know much about sailing, but she knew something about boats, after seeing them sail all over the waters. She then went into the Steering cabin and asked them all, "We're shallower on the draft?" Anamaria nodded, as did Frey as Ariel went on, "Well, maybe we can lose them among those shoals." After hearing that, Frey nodded in agreement to that, thinking it could work.

Gibbs thought about it for a moment as he looked at the shallow shoals, and then agreed as well as he looked back to Anamaria, "We don't have to outrun them for long, just long enough."

Anamaria nodded as she stated, "We'll have to lighten the ship, from stem to stern on this bird."

Gibbs nodded as he ran out of the Steering cabin, and on the top of the stairway. He then shouted to the crew giving them new orders, "Alright men, lighten the ship; stem to stern. Anything we can afford to lose, see that it's lost." The crew nodded as they ran around feverishly, finding anything they didn't need and dump it overboard.

Back at the Pearl

Down in the Brig

Bo'sun had forcefully escorted Jack and Eric to the brig, which the floor was a little wet. It looked as though a toilet had overflowed, but with no toilet paper to add the effect. The two had been disarmed; Jack with his cutlass and gun, and Eric his Seablade as they were set near the brig table. And then when they reached an open cell, Bo'sun forcefully threw them in there. He shut the door, and locked them in there, giving the two an evil satisfied grin. And as soon as he was on the verge of leaving, Jack pointed out, "Apparently, there's a leak."

Eric looked around, trying to find some way of escape, but to no avail. But then something caught his eye as he walked over to the window nearest to them. He looked outside and was a little confused by this as he signaled Jack over, "Jack, I think you'd better take a look at this." Jack walked over and peered through the window and spotted what Eric was seeing. It was a trail of crates that was being followed by the Black Pearl that came from the Interceptor.

The Interceptor and everyone aboard it were frantically dumping out anything they could. They dumped nearly everything: furniture, barrels, food, even the drinks and ammunition. Barbossa was keeping a close eye on this as he saw the whole thing through his binoculars; they were heading to shallow waters and knew that would he where they would lose them. He then looked to his crew as he ordered, "Haul on the main brace! Make ready the Gattling gun cannons! We don't want to sink the ship just yet!" He then looked to Bo'sun as he smirked, "And run out the Sweeps engines."

Bo'sun smirked at that as he nodded, "Aye, sir."

The crew worked hard and fast as they loaded the machine gun cannons, including a double Gattling gun seating post with a lot of rounds in them. Pintel then hoisted the colours up on the radio roof; Barbossa's Jolly Roger flag for the ready. The flag being all black but showed a demonic looking skull with an axe insignia made of two swords. The Black Pearl would not let this prey go without even so much as a struggle.

Back at the Interceptor

The crew was working tirelessly to dump out all the stuff they could off the Interceptor. Even all the ammunition for the missiles had to be dumped overboard due to their weight; it would only slow them down. Everyone was chipping in, even Dax and Sebastian, whom were dumping the small stuff, like bowls of fruit, like they were crates. After Frey had helped Ariel dump the last barrel, something on the side of the rail caught their eyes. They saw the Black Pearl heading for them, but saw something pop up from the sides. From the looks of it, two giant powerful motor engines were popping up from the sides and slid into the waters. And with a mighty roar of life, the two engines activated and started to make the Black Pearl a little faster, enabling the ship to catch up to them.

Frey paled at seeing this turn of events not go into their favor. Even Ariel looked to him as she saw this and asked with much worry and fear in her voice, "What are we going to do now?"

Frey looked around, and saw the dwarf, who was later discovered to be named Marty, was about to push something over. He was detaching a double-barrel seated Gattling gun turret, and was about to slide it over. That is until Frey stepped on it, indicating for Marty to stop, and Frey looked to him as he replied, looking very worried, "I think we're gonna need that."

Despite the shallow ends that they all traveled in, the Black Pearl was beginning to catch up to them all. The Black Pearl would soon be upon them, as the others saw near the railing. Ariel, Gibbs, and Frey looked with their hope dropped like a sack of sand into a bottomless well. Gibbs sighed in defeat as he looked to the two teens, "It was a good plan…until now."

Frey looked to Gibbs as he stated, "Well, we still have a few more planned out.", he asked Gibbs, "Did we dump all the ammo for the gun turret?"

"We were about to dump that overboard right now.", Gibbs answered.

"Well, load the turret up as much as you can. We're about to make a final stand.", Frey ordered as he then looked over to the crew as he shouted, "Everybody! Load the missile launchers!"

Then Ariel looked to him, a little skeptical as she asked, "With what? We dumped all the missiles overboard."

Frey thought a little drastic, but then answered, "Anything. Everything! Anything we didn't throw overboard that we still have."

Even though it was crazy, it was all that they had to run on. Gibbs stepped forward and ordered the crew, "Load the Launchers and guns! Case shot and langrage! Nails, utensils and crushed glass!", the crew looked a little confused by that, but did it anyway as they hurried with as much as they could. Seeing them not work fast enough, Gibbs shouted, "With a will!", and so they did as they all stuffed the launchers with anything they could. Even Gibbs helped as he stuffed his emergency rum ration around his neck into one of the launchers.

Gibbs, Frey, and even Ariel ran out towards the steering cabin to see the assessment on what was going on. Gibbs looked at it very carefully at his angle, and then noticed that the Pearl would get them from the side. There would have been no chance at all as he stated to Anamaria and the kids, "The Pearl's gonna luff up on our port quarter." He grimaced as he stated the obvious bad news on this, "She'll rake us without ever presenting a target."

It was then that Frey thought about it for a moment, and then, an idea popped right in. He looked to the others as he said, "We could lower the anchor on the right side." Everyone looked at him like he had lost his mind, but still listened as he continued, "On the starboard side, and cut the right engine off. At the speed we're going we could rake them on their right."

Ariel thought about it, and nodded, "We could have the element of surprise."

It was then that Anamaria stated to them both, "You're daft, boy; you both are!"

Gibbs thought about it for a moment, and smirked at them both, "Daft like Jack." He then ran over to the stair railing and shouted out to the crew, "Lower the starboard anchor!" The crew looked a little confused by that, but then Gibbs shouted, "Do it, ya dogs! Or it'll be you we load into the missile silos!" The crew then ran to do it after that; they released the starboard anchor, and sure enough, with a mighty jerk, the ship was sharply turning broadside.

Barbossa, who was keeping an eye one this, saw what was going on. He looked to the crew as he shouted, "They're clubhauling!", and then he ordered, "Hard to port! Rack the starboard Sweep engine!" The crew did so, and as they did, the Interceptor was getting closer to them by the minute. They readied the missile cannons on the right starboard side as the Interceptor was getting pretty close.

During the time, Sebastian and Dax were watching this whole thing on the middle crate for the whole event. Sebastian was shaking with fear at this, biting his claws like they were fingernails. Dax on the other hand, was on the borderline of excitement as she smiled crazily, "A battle between ships, just like in the old days. Oooh, this is gonna be delicious."

Sebastian cringed, "Are you crazy, man?"

Dax scoffed, "Ha! You afraid of a little seadog fight?", and then just sat as the two were just sitting there and about to sort of enjoy the fight, as they did try to enjoy it like a movie.

The two ships were almost on each other parallel to one another. Both sides were preparing for battle, even Frey was but he only had on him the single dagger, which he grimaced and blamed Jack for. A Chinese pirate was at the seat for the double barrel Gattling. Frey looked up to the steering cabin, seeing that now Ariel was at the wheel, with Anamaria at her side as the bodyguard, as he shouted, "Keep it steady." Ariel nodded at that, trying to do her best in her part in all of this. It was then now, that the two battleships had linked to each other parallel, and were in range of their weapons, both missile and gun turret.

As soon as they were in range, Frey shouted, "Now!"

Barbossa drew out his sword as he shouted, "Fire!"

And with that said, the two ships, both the Black Pearl and the Interceptor, shot at one another. With a few missile rounds, they completely missed the ships; both vessels missing each other completely by the missiles, but only nicking one another. A few well shots only caused minor denting on each other's hulls. The Gattling guns on the other hand, were making Swiss cheese on parts of the Black Pearl, hitting a few crewmen, but not killing them due to the curse. However, one missile was coming at straight on to where the brig was. Jack saw this and pulled Eric away as the two ducked on the ground; the shot piercing a hole to where the window was.

Eric sat up as he took a deep breath as he simply said, "Whew. That was a close one."

However, Jack merely shouted back at them, "Stop blowin' holes in my ship!"

Although he was a little miffed, Jack took notice of something on the floor as he picked it up. It was Gibbs' rum bottle; he immediately opened it and tried to get a few drops, but found it was empty. Eric sighed in discontent for Jack; but he and Jack both took notice of something else at that moment. The door's lock had been blown off by the shot that had occurred. The two got up, opened the door, got their weapons and affects, and bolted out of there, hoping to get to the Interceptor in time to try one last attempt to getting out of there.

Back in the Battle

The battle was blazing like crazy between the two ships. Even the pirates who were shooting were going crazy at this, trying to hit one another. But although, if anyone looked carefully enough, it was the Interceptor that was sparsely losing at this battle, considering it lacked all the necessary firepower, save for the Gattling gun turret. Because of the need to dump all the ammunition off the boat, the only thing that the ship could fire was anything that they had left onboard. This battle was over before it had the chance to begin.

Near the top of the Interceptor's radar roof, Sebastian and Dax were observing the fight. Sebastian whimpered as he stated, "Dis is madness!"

"This is piracy.", Dax stated almost calmly as the two continued to watch the fight, not getting involved themselves, at least not just yet. That is until a missile shot right at them; luckily they jumped out of the way as the two screamed out loud, heading for the ocean, and then splashed right on in.

Frey knew this wasn't going well, and looked to Ariel. For the moment, during the fight, she was in the steering cabin, along with Anamaria, who was doing her best as a sniper. He ran up the stairs as he entered the room and spoke to Ariel, "Ariel…you've gotta hide."

"No, I'm not running.", Ariel protested, not feeling like she should abandon someone.

Frey shook his head as he stated, "You've gotta make sure that Barbossa doesn't get that coin."

"But…", Ariel started to say, but then the ship was shaken again by another shot of the cannon. The two teens stopped doing what they were doing, and knew they had to prepare for the worst: a boarding company.

The fighting began turning towards Barbossa's favor, and now was the time to board the ship and reclaim their 'hope'. He smirked at this as he turned towards his crew as he shouted, "Raise your colors, you bloomin' cockroaches! Get the guns reloaded for another assault! Hands and grapple lines at the ready; prepare to board the Interceptor! Take as many prisoners for interrogation and torture for later!", Twigg and Koehler took careful aim at one of the front missile launchers…and then fired at the main engines of the Interceptor, causing them to blow up, shaking the ship up in the process and the ship to be a little disoriented for only a few seconds. And then in a few seconds' tops, the ship was left next to the Black Pearl, dead in the water.

Barbossa then looked to his crew as he shouted to them, "Blast all to carcasses, men! Forward clear to the ammunition room!", and with much avarice in his eyes as he shouted, "And the rest of you…BRING ME THAT MEDALLION!"

The pirates all roared as they threw their grapple lines at the ship, linking to the highest points of the ship; making sort of swinging ropes for them. They even took planks for loading bridges as they set them up as they landed them on to the Interceptor. And with ropes and planks set up, the crew, including Barbossa's pet monkey, of the Black Pearl began to board the Interceptor.

As soon as the bloodthirsty dogs were aboard, a ravenous sword/fist fight began between the two pirate crews. Although it was more turning towards the Black Pearl's favor, seeing that they had the advantage. The curse of the Aztec gold prevented them from dying at all, so any wound the Black Pearl's crew got, it would heal up and they'd be right as rain. However, they were still cupped by the sheer pain from it, but it was a small price to pay for their victories if they were gonna get that gold coin back.

Frey saw the crew heading up towards the Captain's steering room, and pulled out, much to his dismay, his scimitar dagger, being the only weapon he had. The first pirate charged up the stairs, and with a little creative thinking, Frey jumped up, grabbing the railing of the door. And when the pirate came right in towards him, Frey kicked him hard in the face, causing him to drop his sword and tumble downward. Frey picked up the sword and faced off the upcoming pirates, using both the sword and the dagger, and facing them off pretty good. While fighting them, he shouted out, "Now, Ariel! Get the medallion outta here!"

Ariel hesitated for a moment, but then Anamaria pulled her out of there through the other door. They raced down the stairs, with Anamaria beating every last pirate through her way.

Back on the Pearl, Jack and Eric had gotten out of the lower decks and back on the upper deck. The other pirates were completely oblivious to the duo as they scurried over to the side railing, to where the grapple ropes were. However, one person spotted them in particular: Barbossa. Jack and Eric stood on the railing, waiting for a rope to come on in. Luckily, as chance put it, two buccaneers were swinging in, and when they were approaching them, the duo grabbed the rope as the two pirates fell off the other ends.

Jack just simply said to the fallen forms, "Thanks very much.", and then looked to Eric as he said, "No matter what happens, lad. Find that medallion.", and then swung over towards the Interceptor.

As Jack swung back to the Interceptor, he swung over the others, catching sight of something. It was then that he spotted his buddy Gibbs engaged with one of the pirates. It was around the pass, he bumped into the pirate, butt to face first, and knocked the pirate over the edge. Jack stumbled a bit from reentry and then helped his friend up.

Gibbs couldn't be more surprised or happy to see his captain/friend alright, as he smiled, "Jack!"

It was then that Jack pulled something out; Gibbs' rum bottle. He then muttered, "Bloody empty.", and tossed it to him as he ran to look for someone. Gibbs then socked another pirate in the jaw, and ran towards the others; his fighting spirit back into place.

Back on the Pearl

After Jack had swung back to the Interceptor, Eric groaned as he readied himself to swing on over, "I know that. You don't have to remind me.", and was about to swing over to the Interceptor at that second. Unfortunately, a yelling caught his attention as he turned around, and dodged a downward slash from Barbossa.

Eric let go of the rope, and used his right hand to unsheathe the Seablade from the back of his jacket. He stood there at the ready. Barbossa growled at Eric, as he devilishly smirked, "Aye, if it ain't Smithy. Abandoning ship as it were?", Barbossa lunged at Eric, but thankfully the boy was able to match with the Captain of the Black Pearl as he held-locked him. Then Barbossa growled with a murderous intent in his eye, "Too bad ye be dyin' today, like the sniveling rat that ya are."

Eric growled, "Not today.", and then shoved Barbossa off as he went on the offensive, for the first time now using the Seablade, against Barbossa. The training that Jack had put him and Frey through had finally come in handy. Though there were a few close calls coming from facing against a swordsman like Barbossa, Eric was nonetheless becoming a skilled swordsman in his own way, at this point. However, Eric didn't count on the fact that Barbossa was a tricky fellow; at that moment, Bo'sun was sneaking behind Eric, with his battle axes brandished together.

And as soon as he was in range, Barbossa locked Eric's blade to his, and pushed the boy backward a little. Releasing the blades, Barbossa shoved Eric off, disorienting him a little. He stopped for a moment, only to turn and see Bo'sun take a swing at him. He dodged it completely, but the swipe knocked the Seablade out of his hand as it skidded over to where Eric's rope lay in wait.

Then Barbossa charged at the boy, with his sword coming down on him. Before it did so, Eric caught the arm holding the sword by the wrist, but was pushed to the railing, with Barbossa still pushing at him. However, Barbossa had a trick up his sleeve once more, as he used his freehand to pull something out. It was the same Aztec sacrificial knife as before from the stone chest, and stab-thrusted it at Eric's face. Luckily the boy had caught it, and both were struggling at one another in strength. But however strong Eric was, Barbossa was stronger; as the blade was slowly coming down upon Eric's chest. And then slowly and painfully as Eric shouted and groaned through clenched teeth in pain, Barbossa's knife cut right through and halfway into his flesh at the right side of his chest, and then slowly down across a few inches to the left.

Then Barbossa pulled out the sacrificial knife out quickly, causing Eric to groan and gasp in pain loudly and sharply. The fresh wound in Eric's chest started to slowly bleed out. Despite the pain, Eric was able to make out that they were near the rope, and saw the Seablade at his feet. Then Barbossa smirked at the boy's pain and hopelessness as he raised the knife over his head, and glared at the boy with a murderous smile, "And now, boy…you…shall die."

Eric groaned, slightly still in pain, secretly scooted his foot towards his sword. He then gasped and groaned to Barbossa as he spoke through grinding teeth, "Not…this time."

And as soon as Barbossa had the knife up and ready, Eric kneed Barbossa in the stomach, kicked up his sword, caught it in his left hand,…and then stabbed Barbossa in his 'trouser snake'. The incident left Barbossa crying out like a wolf as Eric kicked him away, pulling the sword out in the process. He then stepped up the railing, resheathed his sword back on his back and grabbed the rope, and swung over to the Interceptor.

Barbossa groaned, snarled, and glared at Eric's retreating form, gasping, "If that had been permanent…I'D BE VERY UPSET WITH THAT BOY!"

As soon as he had swung over to the Interceptor, Eric landed on the deck on his feet. Kneeling over, he grunted in pain, holding his chest with his hand. He breathed a little heavy as he looked at the fresh would bleeding slowly, and stifled through his teeth, "One slip up, and it's near fatal.", he stood up straight, and took a deep breath, "Can't let this…stop me now!", and then he saw Frey, duking it out with Monk, and ran over to him, despite the pain on his chest.

Frey was having a little difficulty with this guy calling himself Monk. So far, he was only on the defensive, but Monk was close to breaking that defense. And he was almost on the verge of breaking that sword that Frey stole, and gutting him for sure. That is until someone slashed at his back, causing him to cry out in pain, as he turned around and saw the boy called 'Smithy'

Eric half-smirked, "Hiya.", and then with all his reserve strength, punched the pirate out of the way. Frey was a little surprised, but smiled at his friend for escaping. Eric did the same as he commented to his best friend, "Watch your back, Frey." It was then that Eric paled as he saw Frey pull out the sword once more, and then threw it straight at him. However, it whizzed passed him, and shot into the chest of Mallot, as he held up his hammer right behind Eric, and then fell flat on his back in pain.

Frey then smirked as he shot back to Eric, "Watch your own."

It was then that Eric looked seriously to his friend as he asked, "Listen, we don't have a lot of time. Do you know where the Medallion is?"

Frey nodded, "It's down in the galley; on one of the tables." He then pointed towards the door that led to the stairwell, "You'd better get it quick!", Eric nodded and ran towards the stairwell, and down the stairs, unaware that the monkey was coming out another way…with the medallion in its little fuzzy hand.

Below Deck

Eric scrambled towards the Mess Hall, only to bump into two familiar looking pirates. They were currently holding a keg of gun powder, and leading a trail of the powder away from wherever it was they came from. The two looked at him, as they shouted, "You're supposed to be locked up!"

Eric, acting innocent as he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Am I not?", but then something slammed him in the chest, causing him to wince on his knees. One of the pirates had sneaked below and caught Eric by surprise. The trio chuckled, seeing the boy wince from a fresh bleeding wound caused earlier. The two walked past the boy as they carried the keg with them. But unknown to Koehler, Eric silently grabbed his 9mm handgun, before he doubled over in pain from the bleeding wound…that started to drip on the floor.

Back on Deck

Anamaria and Ariel were fighting side by side, fending off the pirates. Ariel was using a rifle as sort of a makeshift staff, smacking or whacking any of her opponents. Anamaria was just using her fists and feet for the heck of it. Ariel was then doing fine, until a pirate grabbed her wrist, and was about to slice her face off. Ariel winced, knowing what was coming, but then she went from fear to surprise as she saw someone stopping the pirate.

It was none other than Jack Sparrow as he caught the assailant's hand…and then stated flatly, "Now that's not very nice.", and then punched the pirate in the face, knocking him out. Ignoring Anamaria, Jack turned towards Ariel as he asked her, "Where's the medallion, luv?"

Not in the mood for him, Ariel snarled as she scolded him, "You wretch!", and attempted to punch him, only to have him catch her fist.

Then Jack smirked at this as he asked, "Ahhh. Where is dear Eric?"

Ariel's eyes went wide with surprise as she asked, "Eric? He's here?", she then grabbed Jack by the shoulders, and asked him in a pleading way, "Please tell me. Is he alright?"

A little shaken up by that outburst, Jack merely shrugged, "Thought he got on board already. You and he, embracing one another, lips smacking together, letting your hormones gettin' the better of you.", Ariel broke his hold of him, but then he spotted something he didn't like. The monkey was running up towards the gangplanks with the medallion in tow. He shouted out hastily as he ran towards it, "Monkey!"

As Jack chased off the monkey, Ariel looked around frantically for Eric. She had left Anamaria completely defenseless, leaving her for capture. But when Ariel tried to find Eric, she was nabbed by two of the Black Pearl's crew. Kicking and screaming, she cried out, "Eric! Where are you? Eric! ERIC!" But she wasn't the only one. Frey, Gibbs, and the others were being hauled out to the Black Pearl as prisoners.

Speaking of the cursed ship, Jack was currently chasing the monkey on the plank, as it reached the Black Pearl. And just when Jack was a bout to reach for it, he stopped. Standing right in front of him, with the monkey perched on his shoulder, and fiddling with the medallion out of Jack's reach, was a smiling Barbossa. Barbossa mockingly stated, "Why, thank ye, Jack."

Obviously confused, Jack smirked back, "You're welcome."

Barbossa shook his head as he nodded to his monkey, which tilted his head and smirked at Jack, as Barbossa cleared up the confusion, "Not you; we named the monkey 'Jack'." He then looked up towards the crew, who now boarded with the survivors and prisoners of the Interceptor. He held up the coin as he proclaimed, "Gents, our hope is restored!" The pirates roared over their victory; all Jack could do was nod confused and annoyed that he didn't get the coin in time.

As soon as Twigg and Koehler were on board and brought the trail of powder, Barbossa gave them the go. Twigg pulled out a spare gun, and then fired at the end, igniting the powder trail. It raced back to the ship, immediately leaving the plank, and Barbossa shouted, "Alright men, get us away from this sailing flare!" The men worked fast as they could, and in no time at all, the Black Pearl was out of range.

Back aboard the Interceptor, down in the Mess Hall, Eric was struggling to get back up. He clutched at his chest, as it still hurt from the wound that Barbossa had inflicted on him. He drew his hand away from the wound, and saw fresh blood, and looked down to see blood slowly dripping. He knew right then and there that it was more severe than he thought; he was slowly but surely bleeding to death if it wasn't patched up fast.

He groaned as he slowly got onto his feet, using the table next to him for support, "It couldn't get any worse than this…" but then he heard a hissing sound, and saw a main spark on the trail of gun powder left behind by Twigg and Koehler, going fast and straight towards the direction that he saw the two pirates coming from. He paled as his eyes went wide, "It's worse…", and he staggered out of there as fast as he could, up the stairs as the spark was heading for its point of origin…and its final destination.

Back on the Black Pearl

The ship had gained some distance from the Interceptor; to ensure the Pearl didn't get caught in the explosion that was soon to come. Barbossa looked at the ship, rubbing the medallion with his fingers in thought at this. He just stood there, waiting and looking at the Interceptor, awaiting its imminent demise for the engines to fully blow up, along with any trace ammunition. This would be one heck of a fire show when the ship blew up, and it was something that the crew of the Black Pearl eagerly waited to see.

Pintel looked at the Interceptor's crew and passengers now turned prisoners, and circled them about. He held his pistol at them as he scowled at them, "Any of you so much as mentions, utters, or even thinks the word 'Parley'…I'll have your guts for garters."

And then suddenly…KABOOM! The Interceptor exploded with a violent roar; the flames that shot out of it nearly scared everyone aboard the Black Pearl. And then as the explosions continued, the mighty ship began to sink into the sea, being claimed under its watery grave below.

The crew of the Interceptor looked at it with fear, especially Frey, Jack, and Ariel, who knew full well that there was still someone left aboard. Ariel broke through the pirates' grasp as she looked at the sinking vessel, terrified at the horrible truth that bubbled in her heart. She feared that Eric didn't get off in time; this realization brought tears coming out of her eyes. But then when her eyes turned towards Barbossa, instead of sadness they turned to anger and hatred towards the pirate captain.

She ran towards him and punched at him, screaming, "You….you monster!"

Barbossa grabbed her by the wrist roughly, about to snarl at her, when he accidentally snapped off her Calypso bracelet. In a swirl of blue energy around her legs, Ariel lost her balance and fell on her butt. And much to her horror, and to everyone else's surprise, they all saw that her legs had transformed into her tail and fins. The pirates were in complete amazement, even Barbossa who looked at her, her tail and fins, and then back at the bracelet, adding all the math together.

Pintel, who was complete amazement, muttered to Ragetti, "She's a mermaid."

Ragetti, how had recovered from his slack-jawed stated, muttered, "I thought there was something fishy about her."

Barbossa then held the bracelet triumphantly, and then walked towards her, looking at her very evilly. Ariel shrunk back as his shadow was cast over her. Then Barbossa gloated at her, "Welcome back…Miss Mermaid.", he then drew his sword, and aimed the tip of it at her neck, slightly pressing at it, but not enough to cut it. He then mockingly stated at her, "Last time, ya took advantage of our hospitality…", and then much to Ariel's dismay, two of the pirates raised her up forcefully by her arms and held her there as Barbossa's sword was still aimed at her neck, as he cackled at her, "It seems only fair now ye return the favor!"

"Hold it right there, Barbossa!", a familiar voice shouted out. Everyone turned and saw with much surprise, Eric slightly wet, and his wound still bleeding but cleaned from the salt water, holding the Seablade in his right hand, and the stolen gun in his left. Standing on the rail next to him was his savior from the Interceptor's explosion, Dax who swam him out of there. The otter then shouted to Barbossa as he pointed, "Touch one hair on Triton's youngest daughter…and you'll be answerin' ta us!"

Ariel's tears soon faded away as she smiled at Eric's presence, "Eric…"

Barbossa was a little surprised by that, as he turned towards the mermaid. He then smirked as he held the sword in his hand as he smiled at the two, "Well now, a princess is she? I'm sorely attempted to holdin' her for ransom, then."

Eric had enough of this, and despite the slight weak feeling his blood loss was causing, he still had enough strength for a stand. Nobody threatened his girlfriend and he proved it, by pointing the gun at Barbossa, "Let her go, Barbossa!"

Everyone slightly winced at the gun being aimed, but Barbossa wasn't worried. He strode forward to the boy as he asked, "What's in yer head, boy?"

Eric growled as he stood defiant, "I said…she goes free!"

Barbossa stood in front of the boy as he snarled and mocked the boy's attempt to free the girl, "You've only got thirteen bullets in that gun. Aside from that, you know we can't die."

The pirates looked at this with much anticipation, but Jack Sparrow looked worried about this as he silently whispered not only to himself, but to Eric, "Don't do anything stupid."

Eric slightly looked worried by this; it was true that these pirates couldn't die due to the curse. Despite feeling the pain in his chest and almost passing out, Eric stepped back a little. Dax looking a little confused at this, Eric had one final trump card to use. He knew that Jack needed this to get the Black Pearl back, but now; it was needed to save his friends, and girlfriend's life. He shrugged in defeat as he looked to Barbossa, "You're right…you can't…", and then pointed the gun at his head, "…But that doesn't mean I can't."

Ariel paled at this, fearing that Eric would do it. The pirates looked confused by this action; wondering why they should fear a fool taking his life. Jack slouched in defeat as he whispered to the boy, "Like that."

Barbossa looked at the boy, slightly confused by this, and then asked, "Who are you?"

Seeing this as an opportunity to fix this mess, Jack ran up to Barbossa as he blabbed out, "No one! He's no one!", and then stood in front of Barbossa as he lied, "He's just a distant cousin of my aunt's nephew…twice removed. Lovely singing voice, though.", he then whispered, pointing to his privates, "Eunuch."

Eric sighed as he shook his head, saying, "Jack. Give it up; there's no way of getting the Black Pearl now.", he then looked to Barbossa as he answered, "My name is Eric Thatch; I'm the sibling of William 'Honest Will' Thatch. His only living blood sibling." It was then that the crew of the Black Pearl, and Barbossa looked to the boy with much surprise. Jack slumped at this, and just walked back to his crew with much defeat in him.

Ragetti paled at this, pointing to Eric as he shouted hysterically, "He's the spitting image f ol' Honest Will, come back to haunt us!"

Pintel nearly wet himself as he cringed in fear, "He's come back to take vengeance on us all!"

Eric shook his head at that last comment, and then turned his attention back to Barbossa as he bargained with him, "Here's the deal, Captain Barbossa. Let Ariel go….", and then clicked the hammer on the gun as he threatened, "Or I'll pull the trigger…", and then smirked seeing the pirates distraught by this, "…and you'll be spending the rest of your life, going around as skeletons for Halloween…for eternity."

Barbossa chuckled nervously as he smirked at the boy's devious scheming, "Heheheh. Name yer terms, Mr. Thatch."

"Ariel goes free!", Eric stated once more.

Barbossa sighed at that as he asked, "Yes, we know that one. Anythin' else?"

Eric thought about it for the moment, trying to think of something else, but the blood loss was getting worse. He nearly buckled under his knees, trying to stay focused before he either past out, or bled to death completely. But then he shook it off as he saw Jack pointing to himself, whispering 'Me' a few times. But then Eric shook off his exhaustion, and then pointed his gun at Jack and his crew, "Jack and the crew….they're not to be harmed!"

Jack slumped over in defeat once again; Ariel shook her head at this, but then worried as she saw Eric bleeding. She knew that couldn't have been a good thing. Barbossa then took a few steps towards Eric, and then flashed at the boy, a devious yellow grin as he answered, "Agreed."

Next Chapter: Stranded Again; The Second Rescue