Alas, it is Jack of whom takes Elizabeth's place. The governor's daughter is brought to the ship safe and sound, and the crew abides by the code. They leave Jack on the island with Barbossa and his crew as Diana leads the voyage to sail off. She wraps her coat around Elizabeth's shoulders to ensure she doesn't get cold, a gesture that earns a hardened gaze from the young Turner.
" Relax, William," Diana insists from the helm, " I have no interest in Elizabeth. She is like a sister to me."
" Then who do you have interest in?" Will asks out of curiosity, " I've never known you to talk about love."
" That is because I do not wish to be in love," She utters, " Why would I want to give myself a broken heart?"
Will studies her for a moment, sensing the pain hidden beneath her bravado.
"Love can be complicated, I won't deny that," He admits, "But it can also bring immense joy and connection. There's something beautiful about sharing your life with someone, even if it comes with its challenges."
Diana's grip on the helm tightens, her gaze distant as she reflects on her past.
"I've seen what love can do," She replies, her voice tinged with bitterness, "I've seen it consume people, turn them into shadows of their former selves. Love can be a weakness, a vulnerability that others can exploit."
Will leans against the railing, his eyes filled with empathy.
"It's true that love can be a double-edged sword," He says, "But it's also a source of strength. When you truly love someone, you're willing to fight for them, to make sacrifices, to be better for them."
Diana remains silent for a moment, her thoughts a tumultuous sea of emotions.
"Perhaps," She concedes quietly, "But I've always believed in relying on myself, on my own strength. Love can make people blind to the truth, and I can't afford to lose sight of what's important."
Will nods understandingly.
"You've had to be strong to survive," He acknowledges, "But that doesn't mean you have to shut yourself off from the possibility of love forever. "
As night falls and spreads through the skies, Diana stays on the helm, bathing in the moonlight as she listens to the sounds of the waves crashing against the wooden ship. She inhales the salty air with a smile on her lips, a rarity as of late.
Truth be told, the sea was her first and true love. She couldn't love another as much as she does the sea.
But as morning comes, the Pearl begins to close in on the Interceptor, making Diana snap into the role of a Captain and she begins shouting out orders to a crew, a crew that believes the superstitions of women not belonging out on the sea.
"Clear the decks! Trim the sails!" Diana commands, her voice carrying over the deck, " Lighten the ship, stern to stern!"
" Anything we can afford to lose, see that it's lost!" Gibs adds as if to show that he's warming up to the Native woman.
The Interceptor, renowned as the fastest ship in the Caribbean, appears to be their only chance to outrun the relentless Black Pearl. With the help of Anamaria and Elizabeth, Diana is able to execute the plan with near perfection. The ships sail parallel to one another, the crews sneering and jesting before the captains prepare to give their deadly orders.
"Fire!" The single word cuts through the tension like a crack of thunder, signaling the commencement of the harrowing battle. The crews unleash their arsenal, cannons roaring, and pistols blazing, the air thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder.
Amidst the chaos, the Pearl's crew proves their mettle, firing their cannons with deadly precision. The sea erupts with plumes of water and debris as the two ships exchange thunderous salvos. But it becomes clear that Barbossa's cursed crew has gained the upper hand.
A deafening boom resonates through the air as a cannonball strikes the Interceptor's mast, splintering it in two. The ship lurches violently, the once graceful vessel now succumbing to its fate. Panic sets in as the ship begins to take on water, the relentless assault of the Pearl causing the Interceptor's doom to feel inevitable.
Diana's heart races, her mind racing through the possibilities. Yet, she refuses to yield to despair. With the ferocity of a lioness protecting her cubs, she fights to rally her crew and defend their ship against the relentless invaders.
But as the water rises, the Interceptor becomes a battleground not just between living sailors, but also with the souls of the undead. The cursed crew of the Black Pearl, their skeletal forms formidable and relentless, board the sinking vessel with malevolent intent.
Diana's eyes lock with Barbossa, his wicked grin mirroring the danger they all face. Their swords clash amidst the chaos, each strike a testament to the clash between the living and the damned.
The Interceptor is destroyed and forces the crew to abandon ship, but all are caught in the clutches of Barbossa's crew. Diana struggles in the grasps of her captures, but it only makes them chuckle in delight.
" I like them feisty," One of the pirates remarks with a grin.
The salty breeze brushes against Diana's face as she stands defiantly, her wrists bound tightly by rough rope, and her eyes locked in a fierce gaze with Barbossa. The ruthless captain wears a wicked smirk, relishing in the thrill of his victory over the once-proud crew of the Pearl. Will, his face bruised and bloodied, stands at his side, a reluctant pawn in Barbossa's malicious game.
Despite Jack's advice, Will does something stupid. He attempts to reason with Barbossa and strike a deal.
Beside Diana, Elizabeth clutches her hands together, her eyes wide with fear, but her spirit unyielding. Jack, ever the unyielding trickster, maintains a facade of nonchalance, his eyes glinting with a flicker of defiance. Together, they face the cruel fate that Barbossa has planned for them – a walk along the plank, a plunge into the unforgiving waters, and marooning on a remote island, left to the mercy of the sea and the elements.
As the pirates usher them to the edge of the ship, Diana's heart pounds in her chest. She knows the treacherous nature of the waters below, and the knowledge that she will soon be submerged in those murky depths fills her with dread. Yet, she refuses to show any sign of vulnerability to her captors.
Barbossa smirks as he watches the fear and defiance in their eyes.
"A fitting end for ye all," he drawls, his voice dripping with malice, "Ye thought ye could best the Black Pearl? Ye thought wrong."
With a swift shove, Diana is propelled forward, and she walks the plank with measured steps. The cold sea spray stings her skin, but she resists the urge to flinch. Barbossa's crew hoot and cheer, reveling in their control over the captive pirates.
As she nears the edge, Diana casts one last glance at Jack and Elizabeth. With a defiant glare at Barbossa, Diana takes a leap of faith and plunges into the depths below.
The impact of hitting the water takes her breath away, the shock of the cold leaving her momentarily disoriented. Her limbs churn as she fights against the weight of her soaked clothing, desperately swimming towards the distant island that is now their sanctuary.
Barbossa's crew watches with sadistic glee, savoring the spectacle of the marooned pirates. They jeer and laugh, relishing in their captives' struggle. Diana, with her spirit unyielding, remains determined to reach the shore. Her strokes grow stronger, fueled by her defiance and her unwavering will to survive.
Minutes stretch into an eternity as Diana battles the relentless current, each stroke bringing her closer to the island's rocky shores. The island looms closer, a beacon of hope in the vast expanse of the sea.
Finally, with a surge of strength, Diana's fingers grasp onto a rocky outcrop, and she pulls herself onto the shore. Her breaths are heavy and labored, her body exhausted from the ordeal. But there is no time for rest; she must gather her strength to help her fellow castaways.
Diana, Jack and Elizabeth trudge through the waters onto the nearby island, the very same island Jack was marooned on all those years ago, a cruel irony that makes Diana's blood boil.
" That's the second time I've watched that man sail away with my ship," Jack observes as he looks out at the horizon," It's really not all that big, is it?"
The Captain then lays the pistol down on the sand, taking it apart to dry it off, then reassembles it with ease.
" If you're going to shoot us, please do so without delay," Diana scoffs.
" Is there a problem between us, Miss..." Jack trails on as his eyes meet hers.
" As if I would tell you my last name," She sneers.
" You were going to tell Barbossa about Will in exchange for a ship!" Elizabeth proclaims as she steps forward.
" We could use a ship," Jack starts as he stands up and approaches the young woman," The fact is, I was going to NOT tell Barbossa about bloody Will in exchange for a ship, because as long as he didn't know about bloody Will, I had something to bargain with – which now no one has, thanks to bloody stupid Will."
" Oh..." Elizabeth says as reality settles in.
" Oh."
The Captain then turns around and leaves the women standing there and he walks on the sand-filled island with a mental map of where he's supposed to go, and with a roll of her eyes, Diana grabs Elizabeth by her wrist and drags her along as she follows Jack.
" You were marooned on this island before," Diana notes, " We can escape the same way you did then."
" To what point and purpose, Miss Diana?" Jack asks as he whirls around to face her, " The Black Pearl is gone, and unless you have a rudder and a lot of sails hidden in that bodice," his eyes flicker down with a smirk, " Oop, quite likely, I'm afraid," then flicker back up to meet her hardened gaze, " Mr. Turner will be dead long before our toes will dip into the water."
He turns once more and spots a tree and walks next to it. He uses the tree as a starting place in order to count his paces.
" But you're Captain Jack Sparrow!" Elizabeth protests with a high-pitched tone," You vanished from under the eyes of seven agents of the East India Company! You sacked Nassau Port without even firing a shot! Are you the pirate I've read about or not?"
Jack stops at a sandy spot in the ground. He jumps up and down a couple of times, satisfied he's at the right spot.
" How did you escape last time?" Diana asks blunty with her arms crossed.
" Last time... I was here a grand total of three days. All right? Last time..." He trails, heaving a trap door up and over to reveal a pit filled with bottles of rum, dust, and cobwebs," ...the rumrunners who used this island as a cache came by, and I was able to barter passage off," he disappears into the pit," From the looks of things, they've long been out of business," he then grabs some bottles and makes his way out, " Probably thanks to your friend Norington."
" So that's it, then? That's the secret grand adventure of the infamous Jack Sparrow? You spent three days lying on the beach drinking rum?" Elizabeth asks.
" Welcome to the Caribbean."
Diana rolls her eyes, then snatches one of the bottles out of Jack's hand, making him pout.
" Ey!" He whines.
Diana simply ignores him as she pops off the top and begins to down the entire bottle without so much as flinching, all the while Jack watches in amazement.
" Oh, I quite like you," He purrs.
" Is there any truth to your other stories?" Elizabeth ponders as she crosses her arms in defiance.
" Truth?" Jack asks, almost offended as he rolls up his sleeves to reveal his scars, "No truth at all! We'll stay alive a month, maybe more. Keep a weather eye open for passing ships, and our chances are fair."
As if not believing his own words, he takes a drink.
" And what about Will? We have to do something!" Elizabeth exclaims.
" You're absolutely right," Jack nods, then hands her a bottle, " Here's luck to you, Will Turner!"
Jack and Diana drink the rum while Elizabeth all but frowns at the bottle, as if resenting the mere idea of alcohol.
As the sun sets on the island, the golden rays paint the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the trio of unlikely companions. Jack, Diana, and Elizabeth find themselves sitting around a crackling fire, their spirits lifted by the liberating effects of the rum they've consumed. The alcohol has a way of making even the direst circumstances seem lighter, at least for a moment.
Diana, usually reserved and guarded, now finds herself caught up in the buoyant atmosphere. She laughs freely, her cynical demeanor momentarily forgotten as the alcohol loosens her inhibitions. Jack's flirtatious banter, which would typically irritate her, now elicits playful retorts and laughter.
"You've got quite the charm," Diana teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I can see why so many women fall for you."
Jack grins, his eyes dancing with amusement.
"Ah, but you, my dear, are different," He purrs, leaning in closer to her, "You don't fall for just anyone, do you? There's something special about you."
Diana raises an eyebrow, amused by his persistence.
"You're not going to charm your way into my heart," She replies with a smirk, "I'm not so easily swayed."
"Ah, but that's what makes it all the more thrilling," Jack retorts, his eyes locking with hers, "The chase, the challenge... it's all part of the adventure, isn't it?"
Diana's heart flutters at his words, her mind clouded by the heady combination of rum and the captivating allure of the notorious pirate. She knows she should be more cautious, that Jack's charm is part of his persona, but in this moment, she can't help but feel a pull towards him.
Their eyes lock, the unspoken tension between them palpable. There's a magnetic pull, an undeniable attraction that lingers in the air like a charged current.
As the night wears on, the fire's crackling flames begin to die down, casting a soft glow over the island. The trio continues to indulge in the rum, their laughter and camaraderie filling the air. The burdens of their predicament seem momentarily forgotten, replaced by the sense of camaraderie that has formed between them.
They dance around the fire, their movements uninhibited and carefree. It's a moment of respite, a fleeting escape from the harsh realities they face.
In the midst of the revelry, Diana catches herself stealing glances at Jack, his carefree spirit and audacious charm drawing her in. For a moment, she almost seems to reciprocate his advances, the allure of the moment clouding her judgment.
In the dim glow of the fire, Jack's eyes glimmer mischievously as he leans in closer to Diana, his voice lowered to a husky whisper.
"You know, love, I can see that spark in your eyes."
Diana's heart races, and she takes a deep breath to steady herself. The rum has blurred the lines between caution and desire, and she finds herself entangled in the spell that Jack effortlessly weaves.
"And what do you see, Captain Sparrow?" she asks, her own voice tinged with a hint of challenge.
He leans back slightly, studying her face with an intensity that sends shivers down her spine.
"I see a woman with fire in her soul, a fierce determination that matches the wildest storms at sea. You're not one to be tamed, are you?"
A playful smile curls at the corners of Diana's lips.
"And you, are you not the untamed pirate everyone claims you to be?"
He chuckles, the sound like a siren's call.
"Ah, love, I'm as untamed as the waves, and just as unpredictable. But perhaps you're the one who can handle my wild spirit."
As they dance around the fire, Jack's hand brushes against Diana's waist, sending shivers down her spine. The touch is fleeting, almost accidental, but it ignites a spark between them that neither can ignore. The tension between them becomes palpable, their gazes locked in a heated exchange of unspoken words.
"Careful, Captain," Diana murmurs, her voice low and husky, "You may be used to winning hearts, but I'm not so easily swayed by your charm."
Jack's grin widens, the flickering flames casting shadows on his face.
"Ah, but that's what makes it all the more enticing, my dear. The adventure of capturing the heart of a woman who's built walls to keep me at bay."
Diana's breath catches in her throat, torn between the allure of Jack's charisma and the self-imposed barrier she has carefully constructed around her heart. The rum has loosened her inhibitions, allowing her to entertain the idea of succumbing to the enchanting pirate captain.
"You may be a pirate, Jack Sparrow," Diana says, her voice low and husky, "but I've seen the glimpses of the man beneath the legend."
Jack leans in closer, the firelight dancing in his dark eyes.
"And what glimpses have you seen, my dear?"
Diana hesitates, her heart pounding in her chest. The rum has loosened her tongue, and she finds herself wanting to share her vulnerability with this man who seems to understand her in a way no one else does.
"You're not just a cunning thief and a witty pirate," She admits, her voice barely above a whisper, "There's a loneliness in your eyes, a longing for something more."
Jack's playful demeanor softens, and he studies her intently.
"You're perceptive, Diana," He says, his tone sincere, "The life of a pirate can be a lonely one, but the sea is my mistress, my constant companion."
His vulnerability draws her in even further, and she feels a connection forming between them that she can't quite explain. In this moment, they are just two souls bound together by the call of the sea and the shared burden of their pasts.
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[ the tension ]