Chap. 5

"A pirate... actually that makes sense." Jin said, looking over Sparrow.

"Oh don't worry about that mate. All in the past n' far behind me." Sparrow said, looking right at Zuko with what he must've thought was a charming smile. "New place, new world after all. 'Sides, isn't forgiveness divine?"

"Yes. But first, I need to know what I'm forgiving." Zuko replied. "You admit that you at least were, a pirate?"

"Completely behind me."

"And your arrest?"

"A total misunderstanding. I meant to pay the man, it just slipped me mind is all."

"Sure it did Jack." Oscuridad said. "Look Zuko, Jack is not someone you want in your kingdom. Trouble follows him around like a dog looking for a bone."

"And how do you know so much about him?" Zuko asked.

The bat swallowed at that, but answered, "Years back, we heard stories about some sort of sea monster running amok in the Caribbean Sea. We went down to investigate, but the only ships that had survived were pirate ships. Which meant that we had to go a pirate port. And that was where we met Jack Sparrow, who offered to go with us to 'vanquish the horrible monstrosity.'

"See?" Jack said, gesturing at the bat.

"Of course, he failed to mention that the thing was a huge crustacean that had stolen his treasure. Or that when he had it back, he intended to get the hell out of there."

"It wasn't just treasure!" Jack exclaimed. "It ate me hat too."

"Yeah Jack. And once ya got 'em back, ya turned yer ship around and left us inside the thing." Tierra said.

"There wasn't a thing more I could've done mate." Jack protested.

"You had cannons Jack!" Fuego exclaimed. "You didn't fire a single shot after it ate us! I had ta climb through that thing's esophagus. Twice! Do ya have any idea how disgusting that was?"

"Can't be as bad bein' inside it's eyes socket." Tierra said.

"Well.... I did come back for you. After all, I knew that you were experts in monster killing and all. I was just waiting for you to finish your job."

"Enough." Zuko said. "Jack, I want to hear the rest of your exploits. All of them, and the truth, before I make judgment."

"Oh of course, er, your great Fiery-ness." Jack said. But before he could begin, Fuego stepped forward and said, "If you want the truth, Zuko, then we should tell it."

And so, over the next two hours, the Knights told the tale of Jack Sparrow- how he had been a trader, who lost his ship after refusing to deliver slaves, and the deal he made to resurrect it from the ocean depths. They told the tales of his adventures on the seas, how he had lost his ship again to an ancient curse, only to reclaim it after ten years. They told of the day when he had to pay back his bargain, and how he had almost allowed his ship and allies to die, only to (unwillingly) sacrifice himself to the depths. And finally, they told of how he been brought back and finally ended his deal with the devil, only to lose his ship once more.

"And that was the last we'd heard of him." Osc said, as Zuko stared at Jack with a mix of disbelief and disgust. Looking right at the pirate, Zuko said, "So that time with the cleric..."

"'Fraid so." Jack said, though a smile spread across his face.

"And the squid..."

"Kraken, yes."

"........Wow.' Zuko said, slumping back into his throne. "You are either the best or the worst pirate I've ever heard of."

"Must be the first, since I'm still alive." Jack said.

"Zuko, ya can't let him stay here." Tierra insisted. "You've got no idea what Sparrow could do here."

"You leave him alone, they'll be something coming for his flesh in days." Trueno said. "Do you have idea how much debt this guy has?"

Zuko nodded, then said, "I see your points. And I agree that Jack has caused a lot of trouble. But you told me that he's done a lot of good as well."

"Well.... yeah, killing Jones was a good move. And saving the Pearl...." Osc said. "But you can't be thinking..."

"Those crimes were in another world." Zuko said. "Here, he's done almost nothing wrong. So here is my decree. Jack, if you agree to submit to the custody of the Elementals..."

"WHAT?"

"... I will forgive your crime and allow you free reign in the Fire Nation. But be warned- the slightest transgression, and I will return you to your cell until we are able to send you home. Is that understood?"

"Mm.. yeah!" Jack said, nodding eagerly at the concept of freedom.

Zuko motioned for the guards to undo Jack's chains. As they fell to the ground, the pirate turned to the Elementals and asked, "So, do you blokes where there's rum?"

As the Elementals sat in the throne room, beginning to regret putting Zuko in charge, in the Southern Seas, lighting flashed overhead, while a small Water Tribe vessel bounced around on the waves, barely keeping afloat. All across the deck, the crewmen secured ropes, braced themselves against the waves, and tried desperately to keep their vessel afloat, as their captain barked orders.

"Tie the rigs down!" Sokka called out. "Keep the sails out, we've got to get out of this!"

"The winds are against us sir!" One of the crew yelled back. "I don't know how much longer we can keep going!"

"We have to try! We have to get out of this!" Sokka yelled back, as he glanced at the angry sky. Moments ago, the sun had been shining down of the waters. Then black clouds had filled the horizon and the waters had begun to rage. As he struggled to keep his ship afloat, Sokka briefly wished he had listened to Zuko and taken one of the Fire aNavy ships home. They were faster and more durable then the Water Tribe boats, but Sokka had refused out of pride. Now, he realized he might die for it.

But he tried to push those thoughts out of his mind, as he worked with the crew to secure the ship. As lighting crashed around him, Sokka tried to fasten the rope, but the water had made slick and hard to hold onto. He had just finished tying the first knot when he heard a voice yell, "Ship ahoy!"

Quickly looking to the prow, Sokka glanced into the blackness and in a flash of lighting saw the out line of another ship coming towards them. He couldn't tell the design- it seemed the size of a Fire Navy ship, but in the shape of something from the Earth Kingdom. Confused, Sokka took another look, and when the lighting flashed again, he understood. The ship had seemed large because it had become crusted with barnacles and sea growth. As he kept looking, Sokka swore he could see something moving on it's hull.

"What is that thing?" Sokka wondered aloud. But he had no time to wonder, as the crewmen yelled, "It's not slowing down! It's going to ram us!"

"Hard to starboard!" Sokka yelled, as the helmsman spun the wheel. The ship began to turn, but as Sokka looked out and saw the larger vessel bearing down on them, he knew it was already too late...