Purple lightening whipped the graphite sky. A deafening cry from the heavens which drowned out all other sounds of nature split the humid air, its untamed fury rolling through the forests and over mountains, slowly ebbing into a distant roar. The heavy rain that fell from the angry skies beat down onto the forest floor in large droplets, having gathered into pools on leaves before making the rest of the journey to the earth. Elizabeth was grateful for this violent weather. This was true even as the showers turned the ground to slick mud, making her journey tedious underfoot. For any weather to her was welcomed, so long as her feet were on land, with each step bringing her closer to their destination.

A large moss covered tree fallen in a storm long forgotten crossed Elizabeth's path. Just as she had watched Barbossa climb over, she stepped on a jagged rock and threw one leg over. It was a task easy even for the aging man and difficult for her, for she had the idea to strap as many weapons possible to her lower limbs. An ill-conceived plan of her own, born of fear that she and the crew might be left without if Sao Feng was as cruel as Barbossa claimed. For a moment she closed her eyes as she sat upon the tree. She let the heavy drops of water fall onto her tanned face, imagining that with the real dirt the rain also cleared away the stale memories of the long journey aboard the wretched frigate. It made her feel renewed, like she had never been so lethargic and passive. Like once so long ago, Elizabeth was ready to take on the harsh task before her in stride.

'Miss Swann!' Barbossa barked from a distance down the winding path, his stern voice demanding that she keep up.

Elizabeth sighed as she slid off of the mossy tree, back onto the muddy path.

It was only she and Barbossa making this portion of the journey- the others had left an hour before with designs on making it into the sewers of Singapore. In the mean time she and Barbossa would search for Sao Feng's hide out from above; Barbossa would have eyes on the streets while Elizabeth would scout out the canals. The separation had to due with notoriety. 'I meself will be recognized by many of the guard,' he had explained in the charting room just before they disembarked the ship. 'An' there ain't many a woman donned in a mans garb- Miss Swann shall be noticed too. We wait for you lot to reach the city before we enter to draw less attention.' With that, the motley crew had parted.

'Coming!' Elizabeth called to him. Once more she was stepping through puddles, uncaring that the water soaked though her boots, following Barbossa up the winding path. Her eyes carefully scanned the forest ahead, searching for any sign of the city edge where they intended to wait until nightfall. There were only trees and more trees. 'When shall we be there?' her voice strained to be louder than the falling rain.

'Soon,' was Barbossa's curt response with a dismissive wave of his hand. 'Quicker if ye shut it!'

Elizabeth sent daggers to his back with her slit eyes, reprimanding her compeer for his loutish behavior that he had exhibited throughout that afternoon. A roar of thunder drowned out the expletive that she muttered with him in mind.

A twig cracked underfoot nearby. She needn't turn to see who it was. 'Manners, Lizzy,' came the disapproving voice of Jack Sparrow. He ambled, as if still drunk even in death, to her side. 'You are, though rather questionably-' he grimaced, obviously unbelieving of his own words- 'a lady.'

An agitated sigh escaped her lips. 'You know I really am trying my best to save you,' she argued, 'which you don't deserve. Perhaps just a bit of forgiveness is called for.'

'I do hate to reiterate myself, but I wouldn't have needed saving if you hadn't killed me love.'

'If I hadn't then we would have all been dead, you along with us, and then who would have saved you? Hmm?' she raised one brow high, begging him to argue with the simple truth. 'Exactly,' she continued, with no answer. 'We would all be rotting in hell if not for me.'

Elizabeth stepped over another large tree and Jack followed suit.

'Can't argue with that logic,' Jack agreed. 'Though it does stand to reason that you certainly didn't have that same logic when you killed me. I think you would have quiet happily lived out your life in your marble mansion without a thought to inconvenience yourself with a task such as this. But your hand was forced.'

'You don't know that,' Elizabeth said, her eyes only able to watch the muddy path. She knew that what Jack said was mostly accurate. 'At the time what was on my mind was getting back to Port Royal, alive, and giving the crew a chance. Especially Will, who you like to so frequently remind me that I have wronged.'

'Ah-' Jack nodded sarcastically, as if believing what she said. 'Whatever the reason, can't say I blame you. You're a pirate, though and though.'

'Why is it that you can't decide to admire my treachery against you or condemn it, Jack?'

'I shouldn't have underestimated you, I suppose,' he let out a sigh. 'I did, and for that I did not expect what should have been easy to see coming. And so I condemned it.'

'Don't underestimate me now,' she said firmly, her dark eyes watching him once more. 'I am going to save you. I only hope that doing so might earn your forgiveness.' Seeing that he seemed less than convinced, she added, 'Barbossa and Tia Dalma work for the same goal as I- even Cutler.'

A breathy laugh passed Jack's lips. 'Ah, Satan and his associates determined to save me,' he said in a jesting way. 'Seems only fitting.'

The two walked in silence for a moment. Elizabeth couldn't help but let a smile pass her lips as she remembered the one moment that made her hesitate on that day so long ago; the memory of the now dead man and she dancing and singing, abandoned on a beach with little hope. She wondered if something so innocent could happen between them once more after such malice, but doubted that it would. That was if he could even be brought back.

'Do you know what your husband does now?'

Elizabeth's brow pulled together curiously, 'No'. Her fingers absentmindedly went to the diamond ring on the chain around her neck. 'Do you?'

'He has sent Davy Jones to kill pirates. All pirates that have no information pertaining the nine lords.'

She scoffed. 'And? I hardly care about the lives of raping, thieving, murderers.'

'Even if it meant he might have your crew killed?'

'The Pearl's crew will be spared of all harm,' she waved her hand. 'It was my one wish when I gave him the heart. Besides, did you not once dream of being the last pirate captain on the seas? The grim hum of killings seems to hold a silver lining for you Jack Sparrow.'

Jack acknowledged what she said in what was perhaps contentment that her words brought. 'You're wicked, Lizzy.' Despite his claim of such wickedness, he gazed at her admirably.

'And I wonder from who I first drew inspiration from to be so,' she quipped.

Before Jack could utter another word, Barbossa's barking voice split the air like thunder. 'MISS SWANN!' With that, he had disappeared and Elizabeth, suspecting that the irritable man had called her more than once, scurried up the path towards him.

The golden lights of Singapore loomed through the parting trees.


Elizabeth let out a defeated sigh and snapped Jack's compass shut. Once more she was disappointed by the enchanted item. Not moments before she had nearly crossed paths with EIC soldiers- she couldn't help but feel hopeful that perhaps her husband was aboard on of the many ships in the bay. But it was not to be. And so she climbed into the thin boat that she was to use to scout the canals in search of Sao Feng's hideout.

'Some men have died, and some are alive-' Elizabeth sung to herself as she gripped onto the slimy wood of the docks for support, carefully lowering herself into the neglected and rather small boat- 'and others sail on the sea.' She eyed the black water blanketed in mist, worried of what might lurk beneath. Her grip tightened on the dock for fear of falling in.

After a moment of balancing herself, she brought herself down to sit. Her rump met a cool puddle in the bottom of the boat. 'Fantastic,' she thought bitterly. It had only been an hour since she had swiped new clothes to blend in and they were already dirty. She dreaded to think of what it might be that she could be sitting in, but put it out of her mind. With an ore in hand, she begun rowing.

Singapore's canals reminded Elizabeth of a jungle- instead of vines and trees, there were moss soaked wooden dock legs and bridges, all cluttered together. Her eyes searched for any signs, but only found themselves lost by the confused and dark scenery. 'With the keys to the cage and the devil to pay,' she peeked under the rim of her hat up at the many bridges that she passed under, 'we lay to Fiddler's Green. The bell has been raised from it's watery grave. . . hear it's sepulchral tone-'

Soldiers marched over the bridge just ahead. Elizabeth watched, keen to see anyone that she might recognize when- there, it was Ian Mercer. She wished that she could call out to the man leading the soldiers, but alas, she remained silent. For all she knew Barbossa could be near and she couldn't risk a conversation with the enemy being overheard. A smile passed her lips- she had been right about the ship and hoped that Mercer had discovered the journal left behind.

Hisss, a firework on the bridge she passed over went off, sending golden sparks cascading in onto the water just behind the boat.

'A call to all, pay heed the squall,' Elizabeth squinted, unable to see if the canal continued on, 'turn your sails to home. Yo, ho, haul together-' she breathed a sigh, seeing that the canal did end, or at least became too thin to navigate beyond her position. The buildings approached were lit with lights the colour of roses- she wondered if the red lights meant the same as it did to Europeans. If so, she supposed that it was a better place than any to wonder, for it would be only women hiding in corners, like herself. She stopped the boat at the dock and carelessly threw the rope around a wooden pole as she climbed out. 'Hoist the colours high. . . heave, ho, thief-'

'-Thief and beggar,' an Asian man emerged from the darkness of an alleyway, followed by two others. 'Never say we die.'

Elizabeth took half a step back and held her breath.

'A dangerous song to be singing. . .' he continued, taking one more step towards her, 'for any who are ignorant of it's meaning. Particularly a woman.'

She put her hand at her waist, ready to pull out her dagger.

'Particularly a woman alone,' he corrected himself.

'What makes you think she's alone?' Barbossa's demanding voice came as he revealed himself from the darkness.

The men turned to this new threat. Their leader stepped towards Barbossa. 'You protect her?'

Elizabeth pulled her knife and held it to the mans neck. As expected she heard weapons being pulled to the ready behind her. 'And what makes you think I need protecting?'

'Your masters expecting us,' Barbossa informed, 'and an unexpected death'd cast a slight pall on our meeting.' His last was directed for Elizabeth.

She let the man go with a sigh.

'Pick those feet up,' a man shouted. On cue a line of soldiers passed close by. 'Eyes front!'

One of the men motioned for the group to gather near the wall as he shh'd them quiet. Once the soldiers passed, he led them into what looked to be a sewer entrance.

They weren't underground for long. Soon the winding path led to a set of stone stairs, which led to a busy street. It was unlike the rest of Singapore, which had already seemed to be tucked away in its huts, readying for sleep. This area was full to the brim with merchants selling items that Elizabeth suspected might be illegal and the shady night goers perusing these collections. Women so clad that it would seem shocking even to the whores in London stood smiling on corners, beckoning in their drunken prey. Inside one of the buildings that they passed by came the sounds of a grueling fight, men shouting and cheering.

'Have you heard anything from Will,' Elizabeth asked, forcing her eyes away from the intriguing contents on a rickety cart that passed by.

'I trust young Turner to acquire the charts,' Barbossa began, 'and you to remember your place in the presence of Captain Sao Feng.' It was a warning.

Elizabeth put her chin up defiantly- although she wouldn't admit it, it was a warning that was entirely warranted. She struggled with authority, even more with the authority of a man, and Barbossa had observed that well. 'Is he that terrifying?' her question was doubtful and almost sarcastic.

'He's much like myself, but absent my merciful nature and sense of fair play,' he informed.

A large wooden door, perhaps one that was once ornate, seemed to be their destination. Sao Feng's man knocked at the door and it was quickly opened to them. Directly inside the door was a table, and after that bamboo room dividers. It was hot and humid- steam filled the air.

'Weapons, please,' a man directed the instruction at Barbossa, who promptly stripped himself of his guns and swords.

Elizabeth meekly handed over her dagger and sword. The other weapons on her burnt against her skin as she stared down, hoping that it was not suspected that she had more than just the two. She stepped forward to pass, but the mans hand went up, halting her.

'Do you think that because she is a woman we would not suspect her of treachery?'

Barbossa gave her a seething glance, as if to say that she best not have any hidden weapons. 'Well, when you put it that way. . .'

'Remove. Please.'

Elizabeth gave a scathing look to the man as she aggressively removed her hat and jacket, throwing the latter at one of the guards. This revealed four pistols, which she placed on the table full of weapons, along with the holster. She pulled two knives from her hips and two small bombs from the pockets of her trousers, and then two long daggers which had been secured to her thighs by leather straps. There was only one left- she grimaced at Barbossa as she reached into her trousers to pull out the musket that had been held to her leg by her boot.

The aging man gave her a tight smile and Elizabeth stepped forward once more, only to be stopped again.

'Remove,' the guard repeated, 'Please.' A sickening smile stretched across his features and let Elizabeth know what he meant.

Resentfully, she tugged down her trousers, feeling thankful that she had chosen a lawn shirt long enough to spare her dignity. With her jaw held tight, she kicked the trousers bitterly at the perverted man, and raised a brow, daring him to ask her to remove more. With a nod of his head and an outstretched arm, he welcomed them into the bathhouse.

Elizabeth timidly followed Barbossa with her arms to her side, trying to spare herself of mortification- the steam that rose from the wooden floors threatened to send her make-do skirt above her head. The large tattooed men of the bathhouse watched her as she watched them, their eyes following the curves of her body as she passed them by. She felt her cheeks flush scarlet, for only one man had ever seen so much of her flesh and now at least thirty had all at once. Though the embarrassment did not plague her mind for long, as her eyes studied the men around her, she became both intrigued and disgusted. In the tubs of hot water sat men- large men, some covered in tattoos and others covered in barnacles. It reminded her of Jones' crew- she wondered how long one must sit in water to have sea life begin to grow. She couldn't pry her eyes away from the lurid details, nor could she stop herself from visibly shuddering.

They came to a halt before a platform that emitted the largest cloud of steam from it's pores. On it stood a man and two women. The man turned, revealing his scarred face, his arms held out in show. Barbossa bowed, and motioned for Elizabeth to follow suit; she did the best she could, unwilling to bend over too far in her current apparel.

'Captain Barbossa,' Sao Feng said. 'Welcome to Singapore.' He held a red cloth to his nose. 'More steam,' he instructed one of the two women at his side.

The woman did as told and pulled one of the many hanging stones. As requested, more steam rushed through the platform.

'I understand that you have a request- his hand moved, as if searching for the right words- 'to make of me.'

'More of a proposal to put to ye,' Barbossa corrected with a nod. 'I've a venture underway and I find myself in need of a ship and a crew.'

'Hmm,' Feng scratched his bald head with his long nails. 'It's an odd coincidence.'

'Because you happen to have a ship and a crew that you don't need?' Elizabeth interjected, feeling the tension in the air rise.

Feng seemed thoughtful. 'No. . . because earlier this day, not far from here, a thief broke into my most revered uncle's temple and tried to make off with these-' he pulled the charts from a mans hands. The colour drained from Elizabeth and Barbossa's faces as they glanced at one another. 'The navigational charts- the route to the Farthest Gate.' The words were bitten out as Feng tried to hide his rising anger. He tossed the charts to one of his guards. 'Wouldn't it be amazing. . . if this venture of yous, took you to the world beyond this one?'

'It would strain credulity at that,' Barbossa tried to say in a light tone.

Feng studied the two for a moment before nodding at the men by one of the many tubs full of water. The men pulled a wooden pole up, pulling with it a gasping man from the dark water. It was Will.

'This is the thief. Is his face familiar to you?'

Elizabeth held her jaw tight and eyes wide as she shook her head.

'Then I guess he has no further need for it,' Feng said, pulling a wooden stake from his side and readying to plunge it into Will's face.

Just as the stake guided by his hand lunged towards Will, Elizabeth couldn't help but let out a cry in protest as she held her hands to her hands over her mouth. Feng halted, but he had accomplished his means. Elizabeth had given up their plan; her face drained of all colour.

The scarred man turned to face them once more with a knowing scowl. 'You come into my city. . .' he stalked towards them as he sheathed his wooden stake. 'And you betray my hospitality-

'Sao Feng, I assure you-' Barbossa shook his head- 'I had no idea-'

'-That he would get caught!' Feng snapped, his voice showing his indignation. As he stepped towards Barbossa his loyal guards stepped too. But soon the thoughtfulness returned to his features and he ambled back to the steaming platform, his long nails once more scratching his head. 'You intend to attempt the voyage to Davy Jones' locker. But I cannot help but wonder. . .' he turned to face the intruders. 'Why?'

Barbossa tossed one of the nine pieces of eight to Feng. Elizabeth recognized it as the silver coin that Tia Dalma had shown her so early in their journey. Feng held is to his ear; even his tanned skin went pale as he listened to the ringing. 'The song has been sung,' Barbossa said, just had she had. 'The time is upon us. We must convene the Brethren Court. As one of the nine pirate lords, you must honor the call.'

Feng held the coin tightly in his palm, his irritation growing more apparent by the second. 'More stream,' he said first calmly, but when no stream came, he demanded curtly, 'More steam!'

Elizabeth eyed Barbossa- they both knew what the delay in steam meant- their idiot crew was finally below and ready to assist if needed.

'There is a price on all our heads. . .' Feng sauntered around the small area. 'It is true- it seems the only way a pirate can turn a profit anymore. . .' he turned his attention to Barbossa. '. . . is by betraying other pirates.'

'We must put our differences aside,' Barbossa implored with a wave of his hand. 'The First Brethren Court gave us rule of the seas, but now that rule is being challenged by Lord Cutler Beckett-'

'Against the East India Trading Company- what value is the Brethren Court?' he spat the words out. Elizabeth could only watch as Feng grew more impatient. She felt that she had to say something- had to inspire Feng to fight, before Barbossa blew it all. 'What can any of us do?'

'You can fight!' Elizabeth stepped forward with all the confidence she could muster. One of the large tattooed guards grabbed her arm. 'Get off me!' she demanded as she pulled her arm away before facing Feng with her chin up. 'You are Sao Feng, the pirate lord of Singapore. You command in an age of piracy where bold captains sail free waters. Where waves aren't measured in feet, but in increments of fear, and those who pass the test become legend. Would you have that era come to an end of your watch? The most notorious pirates from around the world will be uniting against our enemy- and yet you sit here, cowering in your bathwater!'

Sao Feng stepped off of his platform, towards Elizabeth. She took a step back, fearing she said too much. 'Elizabeth Swann. . .' he hissed as he paced around her. 'There is more to you than meets the eye, isn't there? And the eye. . . does not go wanting.'

Elizabeth felt goosebumps cross her skin at his words, feeling that he knew more of her than she would have liked.

'But I cannot help but notice you have failed to answer my question,' he put a finger in the air. 'What is it that you seek in Davy Jones' Locker?'

'Jack Sparrow,' Will answered from the tub where he still stood. 'He's one of the nine pirate lords.'

Sao Feng's irritation with them seemed to reach a boiling point as he made no attempt to hide the rage that crossed his face. 'The only reason. . . I would want Jack Sparrow returned from the land of the dead. . . is so I can send him back myself!' He kicked over a wooden table, sending glasses shattering to the wooden floor, in his fit of rage.
Barbossa advanced on Feng from across the room, 'Jack Sparrow holds one of the nine pieces of eight,' he informed through gritted teeth, 'He failed to pass it along to a successor before he died. So we must go and get him back.'

'So. . . you admit,' Feng's angry eyes went from a guard back to Barbossa, 'you have deceived me. Weapons!'

As commanded, every man in the bathhouse pulled out their swords and guns, readying to attack the intruders. Elizabeth and Barbossa backed towards each other, readying for their backup plan to kick into action.

'Sao Feng, I assure you, our intentions are strictly honourable,' Barbossa lied as he tried to give a friendly smile. As he said it, as planned, their swords came up through the spaces in the wooden floor below. They looked at each other, weapons in hand, shocked into confusion that the ill-conceived plan had worked.

Feng moved to a thin guard, who's tattoos were dripping, and held a knife to his throat. 'Drop your weapons or I kill the man!'

'Kill him,' Barbossa barked with a short look of disbelief to Elizabeth. 'He's not our man.'

'If he's not with you and he's not with us,' Will began, 'who's he with?'

In an instant, all hell broke loose, as several of the bamboo dividers fell, sending company soldiers firing into the bathhouse. Elizabeth fought one of the soldiers who lunged at her first. He was unwavering as he swung her way, until their swords locked and she got a look at him. It was Private Murtogg.

'Miss Elizabeth!' he hissed as he pulled his sword away.

Only a brief smile was able to be shared as one of Feng's men challenged Murtogg and Elizabeth turned to free Will from the pole that he was bound to.

'Will!' she swung at the ropes that held him and tossed him her second sword as he shook his bindings free.

'Look out! Look behind you!' he warned.

Elizabeth turned and to her shock just then feet away stood Mercer, his gun pointed at her. Before she could react, he fired, killing one of Sao Feng's girls just passed her. The bullet was so close it passed her hair. She gave him a seething look before Barbossa grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the doors.

'Ready!' A commander shouted, sending a group of soldiers to their positions. 'Fire!'

Before they could fire, a loud bang and smoke rising sent the floor the soldiers stood on, collapsing into the basement. The rest of the Pearls crew emerged from this new opening, guns blazing as the fighting moved to the streets. Elizabeth fought off both Feng's men and company soldiers alike as she made her way through the crowded streets, with eyes on Barbossa not far ahead. She kicked one of the men into the canal before turning on an attacker who's sword she met behind her.

It was Mercer.

'You almost shot me,' she hissed through gritted teeth. 'You're lucky I-'

'Almost,' Mercer spat out as he lowered his sword. 'You're only lucky I'd lose my head if I did. Now give me the compass or-'

Elizabeth's brow gathered. 'Why should I?'

'I begin the journey back tonight. With any luck I can return the compass to Lord Beckett before you've returned to this world so he may find you- why he would want to do that I cannot comprehend.'

'COMPANY! MAKE READY. SET. FIRE!'

BOOM, a bright explosion went off, halting the gunfire.

'Do you have my journal for Cutler,' she asked, ignoring his uncivil words.

Mercer sighed and reached into his inner breast pocket to show her. 'I will give it to him upon my return.'

'Thank you,' Elizabeth bit out. 'Why is it that you return tonight? Have you accomplished what you came for?'

The unpleasant mans head cocked. 'No, one of your own crew did that for me,' he articulated. 'What was it that Sao Feng said about pirates able to turn a profit?' he smiled. 'It seems you may take comfort in that you're not the only traitor aboard your ship, Lady Beckett.'

Elizabeth's eyes slit curiously at Mercer's words. She wondered at who it could be, but something told her that she already knew. Will. The only one with enough nerve, or perhaps lack of good judgement, to betray an entire guild of pirates. She pulled Jack's compass from her hip with a snap from the string she had used to secure it there and shoved it into Mercers outstretched hand. With one final glare she pushed past him.

Her feet carried her through the city, now cluttered with bodies, her eyes scanning for her crew. A second explosion went off, this one much more powerful than the last. She gripped onto the bamboo railing of the thin bridge she stood on. Fire works and gunpowder shook the city and sent colourful sparks in the air.

'Miss Swann!' Barbossa called from the other side. The crew stood in a group just then joined by Will and Sao Feng's men. 'You have the charts?'

'And better yet,' Will was saying. He tossed the rolled up charts to Barbossa. 'A ship and a crew.'

'Where's Sao Feng?'

'He'll cover our escape and meet us at shipwreck cove.'

Elizabeth's hunch was confirmed. She eyed Will in disbelief, realizing that perhaps he really would do just as she and betray those who trusted him to meet his own ends. Part of her felt strangely betrayed, despite the fact that it was she who was committing the ultimate betrayal. An even larger part of herself only hoped that his scheming didn't clash with hers.

'This way, be quick,' one of Sao Feng's men said.

With one final look at each other, the crew followed, finally setting off on their final journey to the world beyond this one. They traveled through the sewers once more, beneath the burning city, with eyes on the bay where they would find Feng's fleet. It didn't take long for the ship to set sail, for the men were keen to leave before the company caught up. But as Elizabeth knew otherwise, she found herself sitting on the stairs, toying with the short hem of her make shift dress.

'Secure provisions and stow the cargo!' Mister Gibbs was commanding as he himself worked to ready the already sailing ship.

Elizabeth stood to move out of his way as he made his way down the stairs with a wooden box full of rum. A sigh escaped her lips and she lethargically approached the only person on the ship she could sort of call a friend.

Tia Dalma stood at the port side, watching the water.

'There's no place left for Sao Feng to cower,' Elizabeth said, taking the spot next to her. 'Do you think he will honor the call?'

'I canna say,' she uttered softly. 'There is an evil on de seas, that even the most staunch an' bloodt-risty pirates hav' come to fear.'