YOU MADE YOUR CHOICE.

MALAYSHA WAS IN A FOUL MOOD. How could she not be when she was trapped into a fucking cage hanging over a river that was hundreds of feet below and surrounded with sharp rocks at the bottom. And all while her father was parading around as Chief or God or something to the indigenous people of the island they'd come to.

"Don't see why you're s' upset," Gibbs was complaining. "Yer in a cage all on yer own. You could break through and drop in the water below. Swim off."

Mal, who was in fact the only one in her cage while all the others were crammed together, rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Gee. I don't know. Maybe it's the rocks at the base of the canyon that would smash every bone in my body if I just so happen to fall the wrong way."

"Attitude," Marty muttered.

"She's had an attitude since Will stayed in Port Royal," AnaMaria muttered. "What can you expect from an eighteen year old?"

"Fuck off, Ana," Mal muttered.

"Language, missy," Gibbs said in a condescending tone.

"Please. I practically learned that word from you," she huffed. "And I don't care about Will, for your information. I'm over it."

"Right. And what's the reason you wear the chain Will's medallion used to be on around your neck?" Gibbs asked.

Malaysha blinked and wrapped her hands around the simple golden chain. "It's shiny. I like shiny. Besides, it was Elizabeth's necklace far longer than it was his. Now, can we stop talking about him?"

"We'll stop talking about Will if you can say Will's name," AnaMaria said with a smirk.

Mal bit her tongue hard and squared her shoulders. She hadn't said his name once since everything went down, and she visibly tensed any time someone brought him up. But before she could even utter a single syllable, her cage was being lifted up.

"Ha. Father finally negotiated my release!" she rubbed in as she was lifted. "Perhaps I'll let you all hang there for a while longer for your prodding."

Everyone groaned and complained, also thinking that Jack had gotten his daughter free — a clear sign of favoritism. Mal had a smug smile on her face as she was brought to the top of the bridge. However, it fell when another prisoner was shoved in the small cage, them crashing into her before the cage was dropped again.

Mal couldn't help but scream, hoping the fraying rope would hold — that was how half the crew had died already. Thankfully, it didn't snap when they came to a harsh stop.

"Welcome back," she heard AnaMaria say in a smug tone while the person was still trying to untangle their limbs from Malaysha's.

"Yeah, fuck you, AnaMaria," Mal huffed before finally pushing the man off. She sat up properly only to freeze, convinced she was seeing some sort of horrible hallucination.

Because why else would Will Turner be in her cage?

It took him a second longer to realize she was there as well as he took in the circular cage. But finally, his brown eyes landed on hers, and unknown to each other, it was like the both of them could truly breathe for the first time in months.

It was as plain as day on Will's face — he regretted not going with her that day — though Malaysha had bad sight when it came to him, it seemed, because she didn't see it.

"We said his name too many times and summoned him," Marty whispered to Gibbs, earning an elbow from the older man.

"Laysha," Will breathed out in disbelief. "It's really you."

There was a guarded look in her eyes as she pressed back against the bars of the cage. "What are you doing here?"

"It - it's a long story," he said, rubbing his raw wrists from being tied up. "But Elizabeth is in jail and—"

"Right, you're here for Elizabeth," Mal said, unable to hide the bitterness in her tone as she looked away from him. "Always getting herself into trouble. We'll get her out when we're a little less preoccupied—"

"But wait, I've also spent months look—"

"Honestly, you'd think the Governor's daughter would be more well-behaved—"

"I've been everywhere looking for you—"

"Well, Jack's hard to find—"

"Not Jack. Before Elizabeth was arrested, even then, I was searching for y—"

"I bet jail put a real hitch in the wedding—"

"Malaysha!" Will shouted over her. She snapped her gaze back to him, raising an eyebrow. Silence fell over them, and Will's chest was heaving.

"What?" she asked in a small tone, hating how vulnerable she sounded in that moment.

Will's gaze softened. "I called off the engagement two months ago. I've spent every moment since then trying to figure out where Jack took the Black Pearl. Where he took you. Just so happens I also need Jack for mine and Elizabeth's freedom."

A whirlwind of emotions swirled inside of Malaysha, who wasn't sure if she could believe him. Because why would he ever leave someone as perfect and kind as Elizabeth?

Refusing to let her guard down and get hurt once again, she turned her head to the side. "That's a shame. Father got you a really nice wedding gift."

"But Laysha, I love—"

"I'm not going to be your second choice, Will," she cut him off, speaking so lowly that the others in the nearby cages couldn't hear. Which was a shame, because they were dying to hear every word. It was their only form of entertainment.

"There is no choice between you and Elizabeth," he whispered, looking crestfallen.

"Evidently, there was. And you made your choice," she murmured, looking down at the river below. She was considering that escape plan now. "You're a stupid, selfish man, Will Turner. Hurting me was one thing, but breaking Elizabeth's heart too?"

"I'm never stop apologizing," he said after a moment of silence. "To both of you."

"Well," she said, crossing her arms stubbornly, "save your breath. I don't care enough to hear it."

✵︎

She was trapped in the cage with Will for a good two hours, doing her best to ignore him as he tried to get her attention. But Mal knew herself, and if she dared to give him a chance, she'd cave and crawl into his arms like a pathetic idiot.

Finally, Will gave up on trying to communicate. He instead started talking to Gibbs and the others, wondering what was wrong with Jack.
              
"Why would he do this to us? If Jack is their chief?" Will asked.

"Aye, the Pelegostos made Jack their chief. But he only remains chief as long as he acts like a chief," Gibbs explained.

"So he had no choice," he realized. "He's a captive then as much as the rest of us."

"Worse," Gibbs muttered. "As it turns out. See, the Pelegostos believe that Jack is a god in human form."

"Yeah, he really let that go to his head, so serves him right," Malaysha huffed.

"And they intend to do him the honor of releasing him from his fleshy prison," Gibbs continued.

As if to help demonstrate, Cotton bit Gibbs' fingers to make a point. Mal couldn't help but giggle, and she hated the way that Will perked up at the sound of it.

"Argh!" Gibbs exclaimed, yanking his hand back. "They'll roast him and eat him."

Will's eyes went wide and he looked at Mal, trying to gauge how she felt. In truth, Malaysha was scared for her father, but no way was she going to show any kind of genuine emotion in front of Will.

"Where's the rest of the crew?" Will finally asked. He only recognized the ones in Gibbs' cage. There was another with six crew mates in it that he'd never met.

"These cages we're in weren't built 'til after we got here," AnaMaria grumbled.

Will had been gripping the bars made of human bones but quickly pulled his hand away, fearing how fragile they were.

"The feast is about to begin. Father's life will end when the drums stop," Mal said, leaning her head back.

"Well, we can't just sit here and wait then, can we?"

Mal raised a challenging eyebrow. "We're suspended in air, hundreds of feet over a chasm with sharp rocks at the bottom. What do you suggest?"

✵︎

It was a good plan, Mal hated to admit. And she hated to have to work with Will even more.

All of them were running back and forth in their cages, using the momentum until they got closer and closer to the cliff side, which was overgrown with grass and vines and roots. And once they finally got a hold, the hard part came.

Climbing.

Malaysha hated climbing.

"Put your legs through, start to climb!" Gibbs encouraged.

"Come on, men!" Will exclaimed. "It'll take all of us to crew the Black Pearl!"

"Actually," Leech, one of the less trustworthy crew mates they'd picked up recently said, "you won't need everyone. 'Bout six would do!"

The realization hit all of them at the same time. They didn't need all of them alive.

"Fuck," Mal cursed before climbing faster. "Hurry up, Will!"

"You're the one with enhanced mermaid strength!" he grumbled but doing as he was told.

All three of the caged groups began racing against each other up the cliff side. At the very least, Malaysha and Will knew that Gibbs and AnaMaria were on their side.

"Come on! Go! Go! Go! Come on! Give it all you got!"

But then Will noticed one of the cannibals crossing the rope bridge above. So, he quickly put a stop to their race.

"Stop! Stop! Shhh! Shhh!"

As the islander continued to cross, Leech's group seemed to think it was a smart idea to continue trying to climb.

All of them in the other two cages tried to whisper for them to stop, but it was no use. And Mal watched as one reached for a vine, only to grab ahold of a coral snake instead. And of course, he panicked and let go with his other hand, causing their cage to fall.

They all watched in horror as the rope broke and their cage plummeted to the bottom, killing then all.

All of which the cannibal heard and saw.

"Move!" Will ordered.

Malaysha didn't complain this time as they climbed to the top of the cliff while the islander went to get help. And Mal reached through the bars of the cage, snapping the rope that was connecting them to the bridge.

"Cut it loose! Find a rock!" AnaMaria ordered to handle their own rope.

Once they were all loose, Malaysha tore through the poorly-constructed cage, freeing her and Will. She moved on to do the same to the others, but a horde of cannibals reached them first.

"Roll the cage!" Will instructed, giving them a push before grabbing Mal's hand and running.

Mal and Will ran down the hill with the cage following them, but when they reached a small cliff that the two stopped at, the cage hit them hard, knocking all of them over it. And the cage kept going until it hit the trunk of a coconut tree, still not breaking.

"Lift the cage! Hurry!" Mal ordered.

"Come on, men!" Gibbs exclaimed. "Lift it like a lady's skirt!"

Mal rolled her eyes as they began running with their legs protruding from the cage. If they weren't still being chased, she'd have laughed at Marty, whose feet didn't touch the ground in spite of him still making a running motion.

As they approached a ledge that led to a small chasm holding a river, this time not littered with dangerous rocks, Mal almost called out in thanks, especially since the cannibals were now throwing spears and shooting arrows.

Upon hitting the water, the cage broke, letting everyone swim off, following after Malaysha, who was taking the lead. She fought off the urge to swim away and leave them, knowing her father still needed help.

Mal led them all the way to the ocean where they finally got away from the islanders. They made it to the Black Pearl, which was anchored on the shore. And much to their surprise, Pintel and Ragetti had already begun getting the ship ready to sail.

"Excellent work!" Gibbs complimented as Mal eyed the two warily. They weren't exactly the type to be proactive. "Work's half done!"

"We done it for you! Knowin' you'd be comin' back for us," Pintel said.

"Make ready to sail, boys!" AnaMaria ordered seeing as she was Captain without Jack.

"What about Jack? I won't leave without him," Will declared, and for a moment, Mal smiled, glad that someone else cared about her father.

Suddenly, they heard a very familiar, "Hey!"

Will and Malaysha turned, smiles on both their faces when they saw Jack running around a corner at full speed, heading toward them.

But their smiles fell when the entire tribe of cannibals appeared, pursuing him.

"Time to go," Will said quickly, grabbing Mal and dragging her toward the ship. And she didn't fight him, just hoping her father was faster than the tribe.

"Cast off those lines!" Gibbs shouted while rushing to climb aboard.

Once she was safely on the deck, Mal watched from the railing as her father screamed while running down the beach. She sighed in relief when he made it to the water and began climbing the rigging. And the cannibals stopped once they were knee deep in the water, just crying out in despair.

Jack held his arms out apologetically. "Alas, my children! This is the day you shall always remember as the day that you almost—"

Suddenly, a big wave splashed on Jack from behind, cutting him off completely. When it was gone, he had a disappointed look on his face.

"...Captain Jack... Sparrow," he muttered before climbing up to the deck.

"Let's put some distance between us and this island, and head out to open sea," Gibbs said as Ragetti and Pintel brought a dry blanket to Jack, who moved toward Mal, glad to see she was okay.

"Yes to the first, yes to the second, but only insofar as we keep to the shallows as much as possible," Jack said, confusing everyone but Mal.

Malaysha was the only one that knew what was coming for Jack. She knew that his ten years were up and that Davy Jones was hunting him. And she wanted to help him avoid his fate just as much as he did himself.

But Gibbs clearly didn't understand. "Uh, that seems a bit contradictory, Captain."

"I have every faith in your reconciliatory navigational skills, Master Gibbs. Now, where is that monkey? I want to shoot something."

As if on cue, Jack the monkey screamed while dropping Ragetti's wooden eye, who dropped to the ground quickly. Mal cringed when he spit on the eye to clean it up. The monkey climbed up the rigging, chattering away, and Jack pulled out his pistol, ready to shoot it. But Will couldn't let him have his fun.

"Jack," he said in a harsh tone. "Elizabeth is in danger."

Jack rolled his eyes and put his arm around Mal while leading her up toward the wheel. "Have you considered keeping a more watchful eye on 'er? Maybe just lock her up somewhere."

"Sounds like she is locked up, Father," Mal said, deciding to put away her hatred for Will for just a moment.

But was it really hatred when she knew she still loved him?

"She's in a prison, bound to hang for helping you," Will told him, following after them.
                        
Jack wasn't very upset by the notion though. "There comes a time when one must take responsibility for one's mistakes."

Moving quickly, Will pulled a sword from the waistband of a nearby pirate who wasn't paying attention. He leveled the blade at Jack's neck. Mal just rolled her eyes, knowing Will wouldn't kill him.

"I need that compass of yours, Jack. I must trade it for her freedom."

Jack seemed to think it over before pushing the sword to the side. "Mister Gibbs!"

"Cap'n?"

"We have a need to travel upriver."

Malaysha couldn't help but grin excitedly, though Gibbs was much more nervous about the prospect. "By need, d'you mean a... trifling need, uh, a... fleeting, as in to say in a passing fancy?"

Jack stared off past him, shaking his head. "No, a... resolute and unyielding need."

Will huffed, having enough of it. "What we need to do is make sail for Port Royal with all haste."

"William," Jack said. "Even though you broke my Sunfish's heart, I shall trade you the compass if you will help me to find this."

Jack produced the worn fabric with the drawing of the key to the chest that contained Davy Jones' heart. Will looked at it skeptically.

"You want me to find this?"

"No," he said. "You want to find this. Because the finding this finds you incapacitorially finding and/or locating and your discovering the detecting of a way to save your dolly belle ol'... what's-her-face. Savvy?"

Will huffed and grabbed the piece of fabric. "This... is going to save Elizabeth?" he asked skeptically.

"How much do you know about Davy Jones?"

Will seemed to think for a moment, a frown on his face. "Not much," he admitted.

"Then yeah," Mal muttered, biting the inside of her cheeks. "It's gonna save Elizabeth."

He nodded, pleased enough with the answer. Will handed the cloth back to Jack before narrowing his eyes. "And no, Elizabeth is not my... dolly belle. Not anymore."

"Ah, and would you like to tell Jack how you fumbled her as well?" AnaMaria couldn't help but ask nosily.

Sure, AnaMaria liked to tease Malaysha about Will, but at the end of the day, she was always in the girl's corner.

"How about we just fucking go up river," Mal said tensely before storming off.

Jack studied Will, who watched Mal go off with a longing expression on his face. And deep down, he figured his plan of using Will to use the compass to find the key wouldn't work so well. Not if that he wanted so bad was already on the ship.