Chapter 12: Can You Handle A Sword?

Quick Disclaimer: I do not own anything Disney, characters, attractions or otherwise. I only own my 10 OC's and the unfolding plot of this story, so no flames please!

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Julia's P.O.V.

"I'm not going in there!" I said loudly, my arms across my chest.

"I'd rather take my chances with the possessed dolls! At least I'm twice their size, and that ride lacks exploding cannonballs, unlike pirates." I said, even though to be perfectly honest, those little dolls freaked me out.

"But Jack told us that this is a possible hiding place for Shang" said Mulan, her hands gripping her sword, clearly chopping at the bit to go inside the attraction.

"Oh yeah? And how do you know he was telling the truth?" I asked, not convinced. It wasn't that I didn't want to trust Jack Sparrow. I mean I know technically he was a protagonist in Disney, but with his track record of selling out his friends when it best suited him made me a bit wary.

"We've given him access to the castle wine cellar, so right now he'll do anything we want him to" said Mulan, smirking slightly.

"Well, that does sound like him" I said, yet I shivered when I looked at the dark entrance of the ride.

"And it's not just that. You can defend yourself against whatever's in there, but what about me?" I said. Sure I had had a couple fencing lessons one summer, but to put them to good use I needed a weapon.

"Well, that's why I brought this long." Hidden against her own, she pulled another sword out of her sheath, handing it to me.

"Wow. It's beautiful," I said, looking at it in the moonlight. It was long and silver, with the design of a blue colored dragon on its hilt. It felt, natural, when I held it, like it was made for only me.

"That was one the only sword we managed to find. I think it belongs to you," she said, right as a comforting feeling of warmth spread through the metal handle. Maybe I could do this.

"Ok, I'm ready, so lets go before I turn and run like last time." Mulan smiled at me, squeezing my shoulder as we entered the dark. We tiptoed around corners, trying hard not to fall into the canal. We then heard shouts up ahead.

"It's just the pirates, celebrating another evening. It can get pretty loud at night," whispered Mulan. I nodded, not trusting myself to talk, for fear I would give us away. We entered a different room, this one filled with treasure. And in the center of it all, sat Captain Jack Sparrow, rum bottle in hand as he sprawled across a red padded throne.

"Oh Jack, thank Disney we found you!" said Mulan quietly, coming up to the captain. He smiled, his gold teeth catching the crackling torchlight and glinting at us.

"Ah Mulan, good to see you. Come to join me in me loneliness?" he laughed, taking a swig of rum. It was then that he spotted me.

"And who, is this beautiful young lass you have brought with you?" I was so glad it was dark, because when I blushed, my face turned as red as my hair. He thought I was beautiful? Part of me knew that was partly the rum talking, but a small part of me was thrilled.

"My names Julia Captain Sparrow. You saved 4 girls from Black Beard earlier today remember?" His face lit up in recognition.

"Ah yes. You're those girls the royals sent to save us. Tell me love, how does it feel to be saved yourself?" he laughed, his dark eyes warm.

"Well it's new for us I'll admit. But that's why we're here now. We need your help, for the villains are trying to take over. We need your help to fight them, but we also need your insight," I said, before Mulan jumped in.

"Have you heard anything about Captain Shang? He along with the rest of the princes went missing a while ago." Jack scratched his head.

"Are you talking about the Chinese guy with the sword?" he asked, taking another swig of rum as if it might help him think.

"Yes! What have you heard!" she demanded, her hands twitching towards her sword.

"Yes now that you mention it. Couple of nights ago I heard a lot of shouting, but I was busy so I didn't investigate. Same thing happened a couple hours ago. I think the buggers are keeping some heroes down in the dungeons." I put my hands on my hips.

"And you didn't go down to save them because…?" I asked angrily.

"Why fight when you don't have to love? Why fight when you don't have to? Very good words to live by" he said. I could only stare disapprovingly. Mulan came up to him, a displeased look directed straight at him.

"Well Jack, you're a lazy coward, there's no denying that, but you have helped us, so come on and lead us to the dungeons."

"And why would I do that? What's in it for me, especially after enduring those insults you've just thrown my way?" Mulan turned on him.

"The gratitude of a kingdom, and greater access to the winery" she said bluntly. He smiled.

"You got a deal," he said, pulling out his sword, and walking forward. "My lady Julia, if you'll please accompany me, he said extending his hand. I shook my head, but he was so charismatic that I couldn't resist. I took his hand, which was soft and warm, if a bit grimy, and he brought it to his lips, kissing the knuckles softly. Again, I was super thankful for the dim lighting, my cheeks no doubt the color of a tomato by now.

"Oh, Jack, you'll be the death of me, I'm certain of it."

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April's P.O.V.

"Anastasia, where are we exactly? I don't recall seeing any dungeons in Disney," I said, looking out through the grimy bars.

"We're actually at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It was the only place with functional jail cells," said Anastasia, opening the door to let us out.

"Wait," said a voice, surprising me into jumping about a foot in the air.

"If you're escaping, then let me come too" continued the voice.

"Probably one of the pirate prisoners. Best to pay him no mind" said Anastasia, but I turned back in the direction of the voice.

"Wait a second. I think I recognize that voice," I said, going back inside the cell.

Since it was so dark, at first I couldn't see anything. But as my eyes adjusted, I saw that there was another cell in the back of ours. And standing at the doorway, looking battered and grimy, was General Li Shang!

"Oh Shang, it's you" I said, coming closer to the bars.

"Yes, and thank goodness you've found me. May I inquire your name?" he asked, holding out his hand, which I grasped and shook.

"It's April. April Dover, and we have to get you out of here." Easier said then done, I realized, when I saw the huge and complicated looking padlock.

"Wait, before you free me, I must know. Is Mulan all right?" he asked quickly, his voice urgent.

"Oh she's fine. She and another one of my friends are out on patrol," I said, frustrated as I tried to figure out this lock.

"Who did this to you?" asked Cinderella, coming over to us. Anastasia went over to watch the door while Shang began speaking.

"It was the villains. The princes, John Smith and I went out for drinks when they ambushed us. Shawn Yu and Blackbeard threw me in here. I don't know about everyone else." Cinderella's face fell for a moment, before she regained her composure.

"We're just glad you're ok. We will need all the power we can get." Shang smiled, but it was a forced smile, because it didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm just glad you came when you did. They were coming to execute me tonight!" I gulped and clutched at my own throat.

"We might have a problem," said Anastasia, hurrying over to us. "My key doesn't work on your door Shang. It only works on the first cell. And I think someone's coming," she said, saying the last bit in a whisper. Cinderella pulled us back into the shadows.

"Don't make a sound," she hissed, fear making her voice shake. We held our breaths as the door creaked open. For a moment I just stood there, and then I looked closer.

"Julia?"

I love Jack! He's a good man, something I have believed since day one. And I can honestly say Id love to be in Julia's place. Though to be fair, it's always important to be on your toes, just like Julia. What's gonna happen next? Only way to find out is if you review and tell me if you liked the chapter! Until then, read well and I'll see you soon!