[ I hate this chapter. it's not well written ]

✵︎

I'VE GOT A PROMISE TO FULFILL.

MALAYSHA WATCHED WITH SAD EYES as Will disappeared down into the forward cargo hold, going after Elizabeth. It was her fault, really, for going and getting a crush on a man that was already in love with someone else. But she knew she wasn't insane. She knew Will must've felt something for her too — his feelings for Elizabeth were just older and stronger.

"You look pathetic," AnaMaria said from behind the wheel.

Mal scoffed and crossed her arms, looking away from the entrance to the cargo hold. "I'm Jack Sparrow's daughter. I never look pathetic."

"And yet here you are," she said flatly. "Looking more pathetic over a boy than worried about your father who's walked into his death."

"He hasn't walked into his death," Mal said, not doubting it for a moment. "He has information Barbossa wants. Information that'll keep him alive. Then he'll worm his way free. He always does."

"And can you live with yourself if he doesn't? Choosing Will over Jack?"

Malaysha cut her eyes to AnaMaria, spotting the mischievous smirk on her face. Both knew the older woman didn't give a damn about Jack. She was just torturing Mal.

"I didn't choose Will," she muttered. "I chose to help Elizabeth, which is exactly what we set out to do. And now it's over. Will's going back to Port Royal with her, and I'll find a way back to Father."

Even just saying that Will was leaving her behind made her sad. Her eyes nearly watered, but AnaMaria spotted it and punched her hard.

"Don't go wasting precious mermaid tears on the likes of him," she said sharply. "Your kind are killed for less."

Malaysha groaned and rubbed her eyes. "I know. I know. I'll get over it. Thank you, AnaMaria," she said just as Elizabeth came back above deck. Mal eyed the entrance to the cargo hold longingly.

AnaMaria got impatient, waiting for Mal to make a decision. "You know you're going to ignore me and go down there anyway."

Mal shot her a childish look before going just that, it not going unnoticed by Elizabeth as she sought out Will. He was sitting on a crate across from the stairs, his head in his hands.

But when he heard her footsteps, he looked up quickly with cold eyes — he was expecting Elizabeth. When he saw it was Mal, his gaze softened.

"Hello, Laysha," he sighed, looking down at his hands. He had the medallion and was studying it, having gotten it back from Elizabeth.

"Trouble in paradise?" Malaysha asked weakly, sitting on the steps across from him, their knees brushing.

"I don't think it is paradise," he murmured sadly. "I've come all this way, and when I found Elizabeth, I thought I'd feel..."

Will looked up at Mal slowly, studying her features. Truthfully, he thought that when Elizabeth ran into his arms, he'd feel better than he had when Mal fell asleep in his arms.

"I love Elizabeth," Will claimed, but even Mal could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "But I feel... I..."

"You feel what?" Mal asked, scooting closer, their knees bumping.

Will looked down at their contact and rested his hand on her knee, brushing the covered skin softly. He swallowed thickly, trying to find the words and not choke on them at the same time as his confession. He couldn't even look her in the eye as he said it.

"You've done something to me," he declared, sounding so certain. "You've bewitched me, body and soul. You're all I think about. Surely, this is some siren's spell."

Malaysha felt like her heart might stop at his admission, and there was nothing she wanted to do more than whisk him away from the world and keep him to herself. But the world wasn't that simple when someone as perfect and beautiful as Elizabeth Swann was also in it.

So, Mal swallowed her need and made a joke, as only the likes of her and her father ever could in serious moments. "I've done no such thing. Though if you're really determined, I don't mind luring you to your watery grave."

Will scoffed in amusement and shook his head. "Sometimes, I cannot tell if I want to kiss you or runaway from you."

"This is a very small ship. I'd find you," she teased. Then Mal sniffed and took his hand in hers. "What about Elizabeth?"

He clenched his eyes shut in frustration at himself. "I truly do not know. You deserve a better answer than that."

She did, but she also knew she wouldn't get one. So, she smiled sadly and leaned forward. Will took in a breath of anticipation as their noses brushed. Then Mal leaned in the rest of the way and gently kissed his cheek, just at the corner of his lips.

But a kiss on the cheek wasn't enough, not when he had her so close. Will cupped the back of her head and pulled her into a real kiss, one that made her toes curl as he leaned her back, pushing her into the stairs.

Warmth rolled of Will in waves as he slid a hand down her waist, holding her tightly. Malaysha whimpered into his mouth, unable to recall a kiss as good as this one as he slid his tongue against her lips, deepening it. Maybe it was because she'd never really cared about those she'd been with.

When he pulled away, their eyes were shut as their foreheads pressed together.

"My apologies," he said, breathing a bit heavier. "I had to do that. Just once no matter how confused I may be."

Mal rubbed his jaw comfortingly with a sad smile on her face. "Well, you're free to come find me if you're ever not confused."

Whatever he was about to say was cut off by the sounds of equipment rattling and things splashing into the ocean. Both frowned and looked up at the hatch, hearing people shouting as well.

"Something's happening," Will realized.

Mal's face fell. "It's the Black Pearl."

They both quickly emerged from the cargo hold, forgetting all about their little moment together. The crew was dumping everything nonessential overboard and trying to outrun the Black Pearl, which Mal knew was pointless and foolish.

As Will climbed the rigging for a better vantage point, Malaysha looked over the edge to see what kinds of things were being tossed overboard. And all the color flooded from her face when she saw the cannonballs being thrown to sea.

And she felt absolutely nauseous when she saw one of the cannon barrels go out next.

"Will! Stop them!" she shouted, and he was off at lightning quick speed to stop them from getting rid of the rest of their defenses.

Mal rushed over to the wheel where AnaMaria and Elizabeth were. The Black Pearl was gaining on them and fast.

"It was a good plan, up 'til now," AnaMaria told Elizabeth.

"No," Malaysha said, shaking her head. "Elizabeth, you beautiful, elegant, resilient woman, it was a stupid as shit plan."

"Gibbs!" Will shouted, coming up to them as well. "We have to make a stand. We must fight! Load the guns!"

When no one moved, AnaMaria stared at him like he was stupid. "With what?"

"Anything. Everything! Anything we have left," he said.

So, Gibbs got a move on and raised his voice. "Load the guns! Case shot and langrage! Nails and crushed glass! With a will!"

"It won't be enough," Malaysha said, her eyes on the ship behind them. "We can't even get a clear shot at her.

"She's right," Gibbs said. "The Pearl's going to luff up on our port quarter! She'll rake us, without ever presenting a target!"

Elizabeth seemed to be thinking deeply, studying the bow of the Interceptor before getting an idea. "Lower the anchor on the right side. On the starboard side!"

All of them looked at her like she was crazy except for Mal, who was grinning wickedly. So, Elizabeth looked to her for support.

"Do it," Mal said. "Much better than the first idea."

"It certainly has the element of surprise," Will muttered.

But AnaMaria wasn't having any of it. "You're daft, lady! You both are!"

"Daft like Jack!" Gibbs said with a smile before repeating the command. The crewmen all looked at him that same way that he'd looked at Elizabeth a moment ago. "Do it, you gobs! Or it's you we'll load into the cannons!"

Malaysha held onto the railing tightly so that she wouldn't fall over as the anchor splashed into the water. After dragging for a few moments, it finally caught on a reef, and the boat began to slow down.

Elizabeth looked to AnaMaria at the wheel. "Let go!"

She released the wheel, which began to spin with a vengeance. The Interceptor's bow was low in the water as it came around quickly. All too soon, it was running parallel to the Black Pearl.

"Now!" Will exclaimed.
   
"Fire all!" Elizabeth shouted.

All hell broke loose as the two ships fired their guns at once. And the Interceptor took far more damage than the Peal given that they were shooting real canon balls while it was forks and knives and Gibbs' rum flask that were being fired from the other ship.

Will pulled Mal behind the gunwales, using it for cover as the pirates on the other ship began firing with their guns. They were joined by Gibbs and Elizabeth.

"We could use a few more ideas, lass!" Gibbs shouted over the noise.

She scoffed. "Your turn!"

"We need us a devil's dowry!"

Then AnaMaria appeared, grabbing Elizabeth by the hair tightly. "We'll give 'im her!"

"She's not what they're after!" Will snapped, cutting his eyes to Elizabeth. The pirates were after him and the medallion. Elizabeth went to clutch the necklace, only to realize it wasn't there.

"The medallion!"

Remembering where it was, Will sprinted for the forward hatch and dropped inside to search for it.

And as he did, two cannonballs connected by a chain fired from the Pearl, smashing into the main mast of the Interceptor. The impact caused the hatch to fall shut, which Mal ran to in order to try and get it open for Will once more. She could see water pouring in through the sides of the ship — he'd drown soon.

The mast fell, crashing down on the deck of the Black Pearl. And it served as a perfect bridge between the two as the pirates began to cross over, wielding their swords.

Malaysha had no choice but to abandon the hatch and draw her own weapon. She was quickly locked into a battle with two pirates that looked vaguely familiar from her young days on the Pearl.

She was thankful that her father had trained her tirelessly with a sword, making sure she knew how to defend herself. But still, taking on two at a time was a challenge.

"Jack!" she heard Gibbs shout.

Mal couldn't help but turn her head and seek out her father, who was on the deck of the Interceptor, having freed himself from the Black Pearl. She couldn't look at him for long, though, because a sword was cutting across her face. She cried out and fell to the ground, clutching the side of her face that was gushing blood.

"Mal!" Will shouted from the hatch, hearing her scream.

"Will!" Mal cried, trying to pry at the opening once more. But then the two that were fighting her grabbed her from behind and dragged her off, kicking and screaming. It was hard to see with blood dripping into her eye from the cut over her eyebrow, but she made out Elizabeth, who was fighting alongside Jack.

"Elizabeth!" she yelled, catching her attention. "Get Will!"

Elizabeth's eyes widened and she ran for the boy. But she was met with the same fate as Mal, being carried off the ship and toward the Pearl.

Two minutes later, every single member of the Interceptor crew was tied to the mast by Ragetti. And Pintel eyed them, his pistol drawn incase someone made the wrong move.

"Any of you so much as thinks the word 'Parley,' I'll have your guts for garters," Pintel threatened.

"Come a little closer and I'll have yours," Malaysha threatened, baring her teeth. Knowing that she was, in fact, capable of eating a man, Pintel flinched backward, and Ragetti fumbled with the rope, not finishing tying her up as he backed away.

In the distance, the Interceptor suddenly exploded, going up in flames. As Elizabeth wriggled free, Malaysha just froze, her eyes going wide.

Will was still on that ship.

"No," she whispered, her eyes watering.

"Is that a tear I see?" Barbossa asked in a mocking tone, coming closer.

Malaysha quickly blinked the tears away, not giving him the satisfaction. And Elizabeth, furious over Will's death, rushed at Barbossa. He only grabbed her wrist tightly, a smug smile on his face.

"Welcome back, Miss. You took advantage of our hospitality last time. It holds fair now you return the favor," he said, shoving her toward some pirates that began hollering in excitement as they grabbed at her.

"Get your damn hands off her!" Mal shouted, effortlessly breaking out of the rope around her. "You filthy, disgusting—"

"Barbossa!"

Mal went still as she heard Will's voice. She turned and saw him standing on the rail, soaking wet. He jumped down and grabbed Jack's pistol, holding it toward Barbossa.

"Malaysha and Elizabeth go free!" he demanded.

"What's in your head, boy?" Barbossa asked, peering at him.

"They go free," he again stated in a hard tone.

"You've only got one shot — and we
can't die," he reminded him.

"Don't do anything stupid," Jack whispered under his breath while creeping closer to his daughter.

"You can't. I can," Will then said, putting the gun underneath his own chin.

Mal groaned and shook her head. "Like that."

Clearly, Barbossa was perplexed by his actions, the crew as well. Mal, Jack, and Elizabeth were the only ones that knew the truth.

"Who are you?" Barbossa asked.

"No one," Jack said quickly. "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. His blood runs
in my veins," Will declared boldly.

Barbossa wasn't sure what to believe, but when he glanced narrowly at Jack, seeing how he was shaking his head, he knew it was the truth that Jack wanted to keep from him.

"He's a spitting image of ol' Bootstrap Bill come back to haunt us," Ragetti said, his face a little white.

Will then cocked the pistol, and Mal tensed, knowing he wasn't bluffing. "On my word, do as I say or I'll pull this trigger, and be lost to Davy Jones' Locker."

Barbossa eyed him, clearly believing him as well. "Name your terms, Mr. Turner."

"Malaysha and Elizabeth go free."

"Yes, we know that one," he said, rolling his eyes. "Anything else?"

Clearly, Will hadn't thought that far ahead. Jack was trying to signal himself, not wanting to be forgotten about. But Will wasn't quite over that being used as leverage thing.

"And the crew — the crew are not to be harmed," he added quickly.

Jack slumped over, and Barbossa smiled, stepping toward Will. "Agreed."

✵︎

An hour later, all of the crew except for Mal, Jack, Will, and Elizabeth were locked bellow in the brig. And much to Will's horror, Barbossa was keeping good on his promise to release Elizabeth and Mal a bit early. Elizabeth was currently being prodded to the edge of a plank by a bunch of sword-wielding pirates. Jack was next in line followed by Malaysha.

Will was gagged but managed to get loose of those holding him as he freed his mouth. "Barbossa, you lying bastard! You swore they'd go free!"

"Don't dare impugn me honor, boy!" he snapped. "I agreed they'd go free, but it was you who failed to specify when nor where nor what condition!"

"Condition?" Will asked, confusion flickering across his face.

Barbossa smirked before grabbing Mal from Pintel's arms. She struggled against his hold and nearly got free before he held his sword at her throat.

"Let her go!" Will shouted as more pirates restrained him.

"I'll be doing that, boy," he promised. "But first, I've got a promise to fulfill. One I made to your mother, Dear Amara."

"Keep her name out of your mouth!" Malaysha said, seething.

"Barbossa, don't you dare," Jack said, fear swimming in his deep eyes.

"What promise?" Will asked, glancing between the two.

"That I'd reunite mother and daughter," Barbossa said with a smirk. "See, Mr. Turner, Malaysha will go free. Free from life."

Before anyone could stop him, Barbossa swiped the sword along Malaysha's neck, slitting her throat. Elizabeth screamed as Jack and Will looked on in horror. As blood gushed from her neck, Barbossa tossed her still body over the side of the ship.

Jack ran to the railing and looked over the edge, watching as her body sank lower and lower, blood rising to the surface. Bile rose up in his throat. A murderous rage consumed him as he turned toward Barbossa.

"I swear to the gods that I will end you," he said through gritted teeth.

"Well," Barbossa chuckled, "until then, I'll be having you and Miss Swann join your daughter in her grave. To the plank with ye."