"Hands alooft to loose t'gallants. With this wind at her stern, she'll carry everything we got." The words were shouted, as the winds grew stronger, making the crew run around, trying to get their minds clear for what they were about to face.

Riggs continued to watch, as the Pearl grew closer, showing her beauty, which had charmed men in the past, but in the daylight, it was hard to hide the wear and tears she had faced over the years of battle, and harsh weather.

"Lighten the ship, stem to stem!" Anamaria ordered.

"Anything that we can afford to lose...see that it is lost." Gibbs added.

Riggs torn his gaze away from the fastest ship that was swiftly approaching them, and forced himself to move. He did not plan to die for a stranger, or Jack, but it seemed the devil was on their backs; waiting for blood. Riggs gave a hand to carry what he could and threw them overboard. Barrels, crates, food and drinks; the whole lot were thrown overboard to be lost to the waters forever. Seems all mad, just like Jack!

...

"Haul on the main brace." The words had cut through the wind, as Barbossa stood at the helm. "Make ready the guns. And run out the sweeps."

Charley looked up, as the flag of the Jolly Rodger was hosted up. A mark of that was seen upon the open waters. A flag that was told in tales related to blood, money, jewels and many battles. A sign of pirates and they were not going to back down. Charley knew she was the only vulnerable person on the ship, and did not plan to die on such ship. She wanted her questions answered and to see Jack again, both were risky, she knew, but as the parchment stated, though she hated the word, she was a pirate, she lived dangerously and risked her life more then she knew.

Moving towards the door, where the brigs hid behind, Charley paused, as Bo'sun walked out. Both stood and surveyed each other. Both showed their annoyance and anger. But Charley felt Bert standing by her ankles , to illustrate he was ready to defend his owner, however, Bo'sun did not move his gaze from Charley.

"I want my sword back." Charley finally said. The crew was getting ready to fight behind them, yet there was already a battle commencing within. Thoughts whirlwind within, while her heart and brain took up arms against each other; ripping her into two. She knew she held no alliance for the cursed pirates, they made her live a nightmare; her body displayed most of the scars, but her mind held the most. She did not know the other crew, but they were Jack's crew, humans, and vulnerable, Jack had done a lot for Charley, she was in his debt, she needed to save him and his crew.

"I don't trust you." Bo'sun eyes moved over her body, before adding: "Never have."

"The feeling is mutual. But if I don't have my sword, how do you expect me to defend myself? There is a reason I am still here, the Captain is hiding something. We all want to know what it is." Charley explained, before she rolled her eyes, as Bo'sun made no attempt to move. "He won't be happy."

A few tensed silence went by, but Charley won, as Bo'sun let out a grunt and gave her back her sword. However, as she grabbed the hilt, Bo'sun pulled her towards him to add: "Remember which side you're on."

...

Riggs paused, as he saw oars floating away from the ship. He hoped they did not need them to escape. Hearing someone speak, he looked up to see it was Will, his words held authority and strength , making Riggs see him in a different light.

"We have to make a stand. We must fight! Load the guns."

"With what?" Anamaria asked.

"Anything. Everything. Anything we have left."

The crew swiftly moved again, all the things they still held and had left, they started to load the guns. Riggs tried not to show his annoyance, while he gathered all what he could. He wanted to kill the man who murdered his father, but he knew the battle was already a losing game for them. They would want throw everything off the ship, now to use it as weapons, Riggs highlighted, I hope this is my last battle with them. They cannot make up their minds. Feeling the harsh winds rush down his spine, he rushed pushing both cutlery and glass into the cannons; readying them to make any damage they could create. He truly hoped fate was on their side that day.

...

"They're club haulin'. Hard to port. Rock the starbow oars!" Barbossa roared through the air.

"Hard to port." Bo'sun echoed, just as the two ships set side to side.

Charley could see some of the faces of the other crew. They showed courage and hunger, yet she knew they were hiding their fear. A fight they were going to try to give, though the favour did not look to be on their side. The good thing of having the curse, they could not die. Crazy. Fools. Charley thought. But they have Elizabeth on that ship, and Jack is their captain. She took a step forward unsure what to do, her heart and mind still torn.

"Fire." She heard multiple voices shout.

She stumbled as the ship rocked, as they were hit by the other ship guns. Bert she could feel by her ankles, she knew he was waiting for her to make an action, sensing her thoughts that torn her. Both sides rushed into action, as some of each ship swung over and started to show their hunger for blood. Staring down at Bert, Charley knew it was time to decide what side to fight for. However, hearing Bert bark aggressively, she moved her gaze up and drew out her sword out swiftly , before it made contact to a another sword, blocking the pirates jab.

It was truly madness. Both ships were taking numerous hits., taking great damage. Pistols made their mark, while swords clashed against the other. Yet it was an unfair fight. Only one crew could find, due to the curse they afflicted upon themselves.

Madness to fight for a side who kept her under their gaze. To force her to inhabit the ship that her father once sailed upon. To be punished for priceless acts and to be looked down upon, as well as sneered at. Or was it sadness to save strangers, who the only link between them and Charley, as Jack Sparrow. Strangers who were brave and foolish to fight against the living dead.

Charley pushed another man off her sword. The blood dripped upon the deck , her big eyes studied the liquid, as her mind was full of doubts. She believed she fought to survive, but what was the purpose of her being alive? Years she had ran away. From a young age, Charley had been running away from the law with her older brother, but she swiftly learned his trade. However, she was much better than him, yet no one else seemed to look at it as good; ending them to be thrown into jail and face the noose. We always escaped. Always were on the run.

Charley shook her head, before she looked over her shoulder. She could hear her name over the battle. Fear gripped her, as it was the same voice that haunted her both day and night. The one she heard in the bushes by the mansion back in Port Royal. "Sam." She whispered. Hearing movement near by, Charley looked to her right, just in time, to witness pirates trying to get their upper hand moving towards her. She quickly moved herself , and watched further, as the pirates from Jack's crew was pushed over the rail and to drown. To be lost to Davy Jones' locker.

Moving her gaze, Charley witnessed Jack swig on a rope to land back on the other ship. A few movements, Charley made forward, as if her heart took in control of her body. Wanting to be with her friend again. "Jack!" She shouted, before pushing a pirate out of her way. Charley swung her sword, and entered another sword fight, her heart controlling her body, as it was not after she pushed the pirate off her sword, it was one of the cursed pirates. A hand wrapped around her arm and pulled her back. She jerked her arm free and turned in anger to see Bo'sun.

"There be no safe passage, this time." She heard Barbossa state, his eyes moved upon her.

"You cannot kill them all." Charley found herself exclaim, as anger took over.

"Ye misjudge me girl. Do not question my orders." Barbossa spat, before his eyes rested back on the other ship. "The medallion is what I care and seek for."

Hearing a loud scream from the other ship, Charley turned her head and watched as Elizabeth was being dragged away by two pirates. However, her eyes caught upon Jack the monkey, who climbed his way upon a wooden board, which balanced between the two ships. Before he climbed back on his master shoulder and dropped something in his hands. The medallion .

In the midst of the madness, the monkey seemed to make all the crew look like fools. The curse he was struck upon him, that he was also annoying and crafty without the curse showing. It seemed fate was truly on the cursed crew side, which made Charley uncomfortable, as they brought Jack's crew on board and tied them around the mast. Guilt started to build within, as the cursed pirates hunger and lust of freedom showed upon their faces.

She looked down upon Bert, and saw blood marked his muzzle, which he tried to lick away, as if that could get rid of stains. As the curse crew stood around, Charley knelt down, hidden in their shadows. She pulled her shirt sleeve over her hand and gently wiped the blood away from Bert's muzzle. She gave him a weak smile, as he licked her hands, as if to show he is thankful.

"I do not know what to do, boy." She whispered, as he looked her up to her. He always followed her, without any hesitation. He protected her and made her feel safe like no other human could. "I am sorry."

An explosion erupted, Charley's train of thought, in which made her share her confusion with Bert who let out a whine. Slowly, she raised up and looked over to her left, and saw smoke rise high in the sky, creating a mass of grey clouds. The pile of rubble, which used to be parts of one of the pride of joys of the navy, slowly started to sank below the water. Her beauty ruined. Her mark upon the open waters short. She stood against one of the infamous ships in the Caribbean. Her fate she knew was going to be lost.

Charley's attention swiftly turned upon the main deck, as she heard Elizabeth shouting and attack Barbossa. Yet a brave act, but foolish to attack someone, you know you cannot kill, Charley thought, before she felt Bert nudge her with his head, making her turn her gaze onto him. She knew that she had found herself in similar positions, many times Charley had found herself without any thing she could have used as a weapon, and locked up, or flogged, for defending herself against the men.

"Welcome back, miss. You took advantage of our hospitality last time. It holds fair, if we repay the favour." Barbossa stated, before pushing Elizabeth to a small group of pirates, who held her tight. Charley detected their greed and lust, while they held her. The looks Charley saw on a daily business.

Charley felt her surroundings grow warmer, making her realise she took a few steps forward, pushed herself through some of the crew, but she paused as the cold eyes of Barbossa's landed upon her, as if daring her to make a move. He relished the opportunity of giving the order to leave his crew to do what they wanted with her, as well as Elizabeth. Just like he said in the cabin, Charley recalled after they raised port royal, was that the only reason I am still breathing, to be forced to lay with them?

"Barbossa!" A voice exclaimed, turning everyone's attention to the rail. A young man stood upon the rail, holding onto the rig. "She goes free."

"What's in your head, boy?" Barbossa asked, trying to understand who the boy was.

"She goes free." The young man repeated, while he pointed a pistol towards the captain.

"Ye got one shot, and we cannot die."

"You can't. But I can." The young man said, while moving the pistol upon himself.

"Who are you?"

"No one." Jack swiftly chipped in, while he rushed to Barbossa side. "He's no one. A distant cousin of my aunt's nephew, twice removed. Lovely singing voice, though- eunuch."

"My name is Will Turner. My father was Bootstrap Bill Turner." Will stated, gaining everyone's attention again. Mumbles rippled across the main deck, causing Charley to look around her, before she watched as Jack slowly moved himself away from Barbossa and back to his crew. "His blood runs through my veins."

"He's spitting image of ol' Bootstrap Bill. Came to haunt us." Ragetti stated out loud.

"On my word, do what I say, or I'll pull this trigger and be lost to Davy Jones' locker."

"Name your terms, Mr Turner." Barbossa addressed Will.

"Elizabeth goes free."

"Yes, we know that one. Anything else?"

"And the crew-the crew are not be harmed."

"Agreed."

Charley moved her gaze back on Will, as he stepped onto the main deck. Some of Raggetti's words echoed, making her stare at the young man with curiosity. Imaging what the young Bootstrap Bill looked like, a man who like her father, did not crave such things as the rest of the crew did. They were honourable men. They showed courage, to stand up against the many. To stand up on what they felt was right. Charley moved her gaze on her surroundings once again, the men watched two innocent men be murdered for what believed what was right. The same men who left their marks upon her body, their torments burned upon her mind. She was a fighter, but Charley was thankful for the darkness, the only way she could allow to release her tears, while the rum numbed her thoughts.

Before she could distance herself, Charley heard mumbles. Words whispered. She tried to ignored them, yet the words that followed, she could erase. "Gents, we have ourselves a small family reunion."

Curiosity grew within Charley, which made her stand up. A few stared at her, but none shared any words. She took a few steps forward, before some of the men parted for her. She found herself in front of them with Bert. A man could be heard cursing Barbossa's name and swearing he was going to kill him. The voice she used to follow. A voice which blinded her. His voice that spoke louder than his actions. Years of turmoil and death, which forced her to disappear. She stared at the man. He looked to be in mind twenties, his hair longer than she recalled. Confusion held her, as the man fell silent as Bo'sun punched him forcibly in the stomach.

"Riggs?" She heard herself call out.