The stench of smoke fills the air and their lungs as Jack and Diana are awakened by a fire, lit by Elizabeth, and with it goes all their rum. Diana ignores the fact that she woke up cuddled next to Jack, and instead springs into action to ensure Elizabeth's safety.
" What happened?!" Diana exclaims as she checks the young girl for any sign of harm.
" It's a signal," Elizabeth states, " One that will bring us home."
" You set the fire?" Diana asks, " You could have gotten hurt!"
" I am fine."
" The rum!" Jack exclaims as he flails about, " The rum, where is the rum?"
" Gone," Elizabeth says.
" Why is the rum gone?"
" One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into scoundrals. Two, that signal is over a thousand feet high. The entire Royal Navy is out looking for me. Do you really think there is the slightest chance they won't see it?"
" But why is the rum gone?"
Diana rolls her eyes and Elizabeth turns to face the sea and plops down on the sand. Jack pulls out his pistol and aims it toward Elizabeth, yet he cannot bring himself to pull the trigger and throws a fit.
" Let's go, love," Jack huffs as he begins walking down the sand.
" I'm fine right here, thank you very much," Diana states.
The Captain groans in frustration, wishing he could strangle both of them, but instead opts for a solo walk down the sandy island. Only for him to come racing back as soon as a ship appears.
Elizabeth is happily embraced by her father, even if she continues to shout about Will. Her love for him runs deep, and her strength comes from it. She refuses to back down, even if it means accepting the Commodore's proposal, an act that nearly makes Diana's eyes bulge from her head.
" Mr. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us with a bearing to Isla de Muerta. Then contemplate all possible meanings of the phrase, silent as the grave. Do I make myself clear?" Norrington asks.
" Inescapably clear," Jack affirms.
The pirate is then propelled to the helm on the upper deck, in which Diana instinctively follows.
" Where on earth do you think you're going?" Norrington sneers as he steps in her way.
" To the helm," Diana answers plainly and simply.
" Oh, I don't think so," He scoffs.
Diana rolls her eyes once more and hastily accepts her fate. She joins Elizabeth in the governor's quarters and grabs a brush to run through the young girl's hair.
" I cannot believe you agreed to marry that bufoon," Diana utters.
" I had to," Elizabeth refutes, " For Will."
" We can get the boy without you marrying such an ass."
" He's not an ass."
And all it takes is one look from Diana through the mirror.
" Maybe a tad bit," Elizabeth says.
Diana's fingers move gently through Elizabeth's hair as she wields the brush with a surprising tenderness. Despite her usual snarky demeanor, there's a softness in her touch, a care that she reserves for only a few. As the bristles smooth through the strands, she can't help but exchange a knowing glance with Elizabeth through the reflection in the mirror.
" You know, you're lucky to have me," Diana quips, her voice laced with playful sarcasm.
Elizabeth's lips curve into a small smile, her eyes meeting Diana's in the mirror. There's an unspoken bond between them, a shared understanding that transcends words. Diana's snarky remarks are like a shield, a way to protect herself from the world, but Elizabeth has managed to glimpse the person beneath that armor.
" Lucky indeed," Elizabeth responds with a gentle chuckle, "You've certainly made this whole ordeal a bit more bearable."
Diana's hand pauses in its movements, and for a moment, her mask of sarcasm slips away, revealing a genuine warmth in her eyes. It's a rare vulnerability that she allows only in these private moments.
" Don't go getting all sentimental on me now," Diana mutters, but her teasing tone lacks its usual bite.
Elizabeth's smile widens as she tilts her head slightly, catching Diana's gaze.
"Oh, come on. Admit it, you secretly enjoy my company."
Diana lets out a soft snort, her hand resuming its gentle task.
"Well, I suppose having someone to spar with does have its merits."
Their laughter fills the room, the tension of their circumstances momentarily forgotten. Diana's careful strokes continue, the repetitive motion almost meditative as she focuses on untangling the knots in Elizabeth's hair.
"You know," Elizabeth begins, her voice softening, "when I first met you, I never would have guessed that we'd become friends."
Diana's lips curve into a half-smile, her gaze fixed on her task.
"And what gave it away? The fact that I threatened to stab you with a fork?"
Elizabeth chuckles, leaning back slightly to meet Diana's eyes.
"That might have been a clue."
Their shared laughter carries a sense of camaraderie, a bond forged through the challenges they've faced together. Diana's reserved nature had initially made her seem unapproachable, but Elizabeth had seen beyond the facade, recognizing the loyalty and strength that lay beneath.
As the brush moves through Elizabeth's hair, the silence between them feels comfortable, a testament to the ease of their companionship. Diana's guarded demeanor might deter others, but Elizabeth has come to appreciate the honesty and authenticity that defines their interactions.
"Thank you, Diana," Elizabeth murmurs, her voice carrying a sincerity that needs no explanation.
Diana's hand pauses once more, her fingers resting gently against Elizabeth's hair. She meets Elizabeth's gaze in the mirror, her usual snark replaced by a softness that speaks volumes.
"You're family now, whether you like it or not," Diana replies, her voice gentle yet firm.
Elizabeth smiles, her eyes shining with gratitude. In Diana, she's found not just a companion, but a sister of the heart – someone who understands and supports her in ways that go beyond words.
The ship is anchored and the dingies are dropped, and once more, Diana seems to be denied.
" Stay on the ship," Norrington commands.
" I thought having a woman aboard," Diana jests.
" It's even worse luck to have a woman in battle," He utters, " Now, do as you're told and stay on the ship."
His words only work to enrage Diana, as well as fill her with determination.
Once the paddle boats begin to make their way into the isle, Diana sneaks off the ship with a sword strapped to her hip. She swims through the blue and chilly waters, doing her best to stay out of sight. And as fast as she is, she makes landfall once the battle has already begun.
Gunshots and swords clashing fill the air as the men let out their battle cries. Diana makes good work by drawing her sword and immediately springing into action.
Diana's movements are a blur of calculated strikes and evasive maneuvers. Her training as a fighter serves her well as she seamlessly weaves through the chaos of battle. Her sword clashes with that of a cursed pirate, the sound of steel meeting steel ringing in her ears. She sidesteps an incoming blow, swiftly countering with a thrust that pierces through her opponent's chest.
Around her, the clash between the living and the undead intensifies. Jack Sparrow's iconic wit is as sharp as his cutlass, his every move unpredictable as he dances through the fray. Will Turner's determination fuels his strikes, each swing of his sword a testament to his love for Elizabeth and his desire to free her from Barbossa's grip.
Diana's focus remains unyielding, her senses heightened by the urgency of the battle. She parries an attack from behind and swiftly dispatches her assailant, her movements fluid and efficient. Her eyes search for any sign of Elizabeth, her protective instincts kicking into high gear.
As the battle rages on, Diana finds herself facing off against multiple adversaries at once. She moves with agility and precision, her sword dancing through the air as she defends herself against the relentless onslaught. Her determination fuels her every move, her unwavering spirit evident in the ferocity of her attacks.
Amidst the chaos, a loud crack pierces the air as a cannonball crashes onto the scene. The explosion sends both living and cursed pirates flying, creating a momentary lull in the battle. In that brief respite, Diana's eyes lock onto Barbossa, who stands defiantly amidst the wreckage.
The cursed captain's gaze meets hers, his grin twisted and malevolent. Without hesitation, Diana charges toward him, her sword raised high. Barbossa meets her attack head-on, his own blade clashing with hers in a deadly dance. Their swords lock, the force of their collision vibrating through their arms.
"Quite the fighter, aren't ye?" Barbossa sneers, his words carrying a hollow, ghostly echo.
Diana grits her teeth, her determination unwavering. She pushes against Barbossa with all her strength, their blades straining against each other. The cursed captain's laughter rings in her ears, a chilling reminder of the supernatural power that fuels him.
And then, in a climactic moment, the final piece of the Aztec gold is returned to its chest. The curse begins to lift, the undead pirates collapsing into piles of bones. Barbossa, once an imposing figure, is reduced to mortal flesh. Jack, with a fierce resolve, delivers the final blow, his pistol finding its mark.
As Barbossa falls, the air is filled with a palpable sense of release. The curse is broken, and the once-cursed crew members gasp for breath as the feeling of mortality returns. The moon's glow fades, and the island is bathed in the soft light of dawn.
Diana, Will, and Jack stand amidst the aftermath of the battle, their breaths heavy and their bodies marked by the scars of combat. The air is charged with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. Their eyes meet, a silent acknowledgment of the journey they've undertaken together.
But it's a pirate's life for Jack. Instead of being honored, Jack is thrown back into shackles where he will be hung back in Port Royal. It somehow pains Diana to see him chained up. Their eyes meet for one fleeting moment, and an unspoken connection blossoms as their hearts synch for just a moment.
Alas, it's Will who saves Jack from his hanging. Elizabeth falls to the ground as a distraction, and Diana springs into action despite the confines of her dress. She removes the rope from his neck and guides him up the stone steps. She turns around to fend off the guards whilst he escapes, but that's when he grabs her wrist and makes her face him.
" Come with me," Jack utters.
And Diana doesn't know what posseses her to agree and jump down into the depths of the sea with a pirate, but she does. She uses a hidden dagger to cut the dress from her body, allowing her to resurface with ease where her eyes meet with Jack's grin.
" I always knew you liked me," He says.
" Don't push it, Sparrow."
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