It wasn't a long ride. Star had no more than looked out the window once when suddenly a red light flashed on the elaborate console on the ship's dashboard. It read "Destination Reached. Location: Unknown World, Third Sector."

"Unknown? That can't be good," said Star suspiciously. The ship rocked slightly.

Startled, Star looked out the window. They were in an ocean! As she opened the door to the ship, she stepped out onto it and saw a gigantic wooden boat. It had black sails and an elaborate decorative carving on it. As it went by them, a voice shouted down at Jiminy and Star. "Oi! What are you two doing down there?"

"Excuse me, sir!" shouted Star. "We're lost! Could you give us a lift?"

"I suppose I could, if'n ya kept quiet about it around the captain. He's not too happy right now, what with the Heartless reappearin' and all, and—"

The man was cut off. "Mr. Gibbs! Who are you talking to?"

The man turned to a scruffy-looking man with a bandana and a three-pointed hat, with his long hair tangled into nasty knots that resembled dreadlocks. "Sir, there's a little girl out here in the ocean…she's in some sort of vessel of some kind, like none I've ever seen, sir!"

The man looked down at Star, and back at Mr. Gibbs. "Well, then bring her aboard! Can't leave poor young people of the female persuasion alone at sea, stranded, now can we?" He smiled crookedly.

Gibbs pulled Star up onto the deck, and Jiminy hid in Star's pack. He didn't feel like getting involved with anything. The ship seemed to fold itself into a small box, which Star caught as it fell down, swiftly placing it in her pack.

The scruffy man laughed. "Well, now, aren't we quite the magician?" He leaned in close. "Now, then, young lady…may I ask your name?"

"My name's Star," she said enthusiastically, "and I'm here to help! Who are you?"

The man laughed again. "Here to help, she says. Tell me now, child, how exactly do you think you can help?"

"I'm the chosen one! I have a Keyblade. I'm here to get rid of the Heartless."

The man was intrigued. "A Keyblade…interesting. Well, if you're really here to help, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you who I am. Allow me to introduce myself."

Gibbs interrupted. "That there's Jack Sparrow, the—"

Jack interrupted as well. "CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow, if you please, and thank you, Mr. Gibbs, but I believe I am fully capable of introducing myself to such a fine young lady."

Star would have blushed, if she didn't find the man so repulsive. The man reached in to shake her hand, and said, "Very nice to meet you, little Star. Now tell me, where are you from, and where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Star was suspicious. Something about this man didn't seem right…something other than his rancid breath. "Well, Captain Sparrow, I would answer that question, but I don't know…"

Jack smiled. "You don't know if you can trust me. You're here, all alone, on a new world, not quite understanding how things here work, and you meet up with a horribly unclean little man on a ship with a ragged crew, origins unknown, bound for places you've probably never heard of."

"That was very long-winded, but right."

Jack smiled more widely, and held out his arms, apparently showing himself off as though he were king of the world. "I'm Jack Sparrow, luv!" He waved his hands, letting Star see his many elaborate rings. "I'm clever. I know more than people think they know about themselves because they reveal it to me before I let them know I know it!"

"What?"

"Exactly."

"SQUAAAAK! MAKE HER WALK THE PLANK!"

"I beg your pardon?!" Star exclaimed.

A man with a blue and yellow parrot on his shoulder walked by. Jack smiled nervously. "Don't mind the bird, luv, it doesn't know what it's saying."

"There's something about this ship…"

Jack staggered back, clutching his heart as if he'd been shot. "Oh, I'm afraid you've found out…" He smiled and walked back toward her. "That's right. I'm a pirate."

Star, feeling threatened, summoned the Keyblade and brought it to Jack's throat. Surprised, Jack took a step back. But he wasn't frightened. Instead, he seemed ecstatic. "So you really DO have a Keyblade? Interesting…"

Star pressed Jack back further. "Don't toy with me; I'm not in the mood."

"Now, now, luv, there's no need to be sour. I've done nothing to you. I'm just a simple pirate trying to make an honest pirate living," Jack smirked.

"You're not working for the Heartless?"

Jack smiled mischievously. "Pirate's honor."

Two figures walked out of the cabin. "Now," said a woman, "I think the girl may doubt the honor of a pirate."

A man then said, "As she well should. Many pirates shouldn't be trusted. But I think with Captain Jack Sparrow, you can ease your suspicions…slightly anyway."

Jack nervously laughed and stepped away from Star, who put away her Keyblade. "Elizabeth, William, how are you two? I trust you're enjoying your stay here on the Pearl?"

Will smiled. "Oh, come now, Jack, you married us here on this boat...there's no reason to feel threatened by us! We're here to have a little fun. After all, I do like my job as a blacksmith, but what's more interesting is the life of a pirate."

Jack laughed heartily. "That it is, my friend; that it is."

Jack leaned over to Star, pointed discreetly at Will, and mouthed the word 'Eunuch'.

Star giggled softly.

"I heard that!"

"Heard what? I didn't say anything. Must've been the bird!"

"SQUAAAAAAK! DON'T BLAME ME FOR YOUR OWN MISTAKES!"

"Oh, shut up."

Star turned to Jack, Will, and Elizabeth. "So, do you guys know what's going on?"

Will looked concerned. "Not entirely. The Heartless began appearing again a few days ago. The place hasn't been the same since. At night, a great fog appears, and the men swear they see…"

"See what?"

Elizabeth looked annoyed that Will was hesitant to finish his story. "The Flying Dutchman."

"The Flying Dutchman? What's that?"

Will and Elizabeth looked at each other. Jack leaned in close. "Tell me, luv. Have you ever heard of…Davy Jones?"

"Um…no."

"Well, then. I suppose you should know if you're the Keeper, now, shouldn't you?"

Will rolled his eyes. "Jack, let's let Tia Dalma tell her the story, okay? Last thing we need is for her to hear your hours of mindless dribble about yourself."

Elizabeth laughed. "He's right, Jack. You're not really that interesting."

Jack smirked. "Sticks and stones, luv. Mr. Gibbs!"

Gibbs looked down at the deck nervously. "Aye, Captain?"

"It would appear we have a need to go upriver."

Gibbs sighed. "Aye, Captain."