[Isla De Muerta: Caves - MAIN CAVERN]
Barbossa stood atop the mountain of treasure, his voice thunderous. "For ten years, we've been tested and tried, and each man-jack of you here has proved his mettle a hundred times over, and a hundred times again!"
The pirates roared their approval. "Aye! Yeah!"
Barbossa slammed a fist into his palm for emphasis. "Punished we were, the lot of us! Disproportionate to our crime!"
The pirates howled louder, their anger and desperation palpable. "Aye!"
With a dramatic flourish, Barbossa kicked the lid off the stone chest, revealing hundreds of identical gold coins glinting in the torchlight.
Atop them rested a worn stone knife. "Here 'tis, the cursed treasure of Cortés himself. Every last piece that went astray, we have returned save for this." He pointed to the medallion hanging from Elizabeth's neck.
The pirates erupted into wild cheers.
---
Jack and Arlo, still hidden near the entrance, exchanged glances.
Jack whispered, "We wait for the opportune moment."
Will hesitated, tension rolling off him in waves.
Arlo gave him a pointed look. "She'll be fine. They won't kill her until the time is right."
Will reluctantly followed as they moved toward the boats. But as soon as they reached them, he caught up to Jack. "When's that? When it's of greatest profit to you?"
Jack smirked. "May I ask you something? Have I ever given you reason not to trust me?" He paused, then added, "Do us a favor, I know it's difficult for you, but please, stay here and try not to do anything... stupid."
Arlo exhaled sharply, looking between them. "I'm getting Elizabeth to safety."
Will stiffened. "I'm coming with you."
Arlo shook his head. "No. You're too impulsive. Anything goes wrong, we all die. It's safer if I do this alone. Stay here and wait."
Before Will could argue, Arlo slipped away, disappearing into the shadows. He reached the water's edge, inhaled deeply, and dived in. The icy shock nearly took his breath away, but he moved slowly, carefully, avoiding detection as the pirates continued bickering. Will was supposed to do this in the movie, but in reality, Will was too rash, too reckless. One mistake, and they'd all be dead.The cold wrapped around Arlo like a vice, every movement an effort to keep himself from shivering too violently. He hugged the cavern wall, navigating through submerged rocks, surfacing just enough to take quiet breaths.
Above, Barbossa's crew stomped and muttered, unaware of the intruder slipping past them. Arlo knew Will would have charged in, sword swinging, making himself a perfect target. Elizabeth's rescue needed to be swift and silent, or they'd all end up as skeletons long before sunrise.
Arlo emerged near Elizabeth, covering her mouth just before she could yelp. She froze, then recognized him. He nodded toward the water. Her gaze flicked to the medallion resting at the water's edge. Without hesitation, she grabbed it, her fingers trembling slightly.Taking her hand, Arlo guided her away, slipping past the distracted pirates.
As they reached the tunnel, Will appeared, immediately grabbing Elizabeth's arms. "Are you alright?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I'm okay."
Arlo rolled his eyes. "Not the time or place for your love story. We need to move. Now."
Arlo turned to Will. "Where's Jack?"
But before Will could answer, a loud, ear-piercing SCREECH cut through the air. The monkey, perched atop a pile of gold, leaped up, howling and pointing its tiny claw directly at them.
Barbossa spun, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the cavern. His expression darkened as realization struck. "The medallion! She's taken it! Get after her, you feckless pack of ingrates!"
The cavern exploded into motion. Pirates scrambled, grabbing weapons, knocking over treasure as they rushed forward.
Arlo barely had time to register the movement before he grabbed Elizabeth's arm. "Time to go!"
They bolted into the tunnels, Will right beside them. The sound of Barbossa's furious roar and the clatter of boots against stone chased them into the darkness
***
[H.M.S Interceptor: DECK]
A long trail of oars floated in the water, leading up to the ship. The Interceptor rocked gently on the waves, sails billowing under the night sky.Elizabeth climbed aboard first, dripping wet, breathing heavily. She looked around warily at the unfamiliar crew.
"Not more pirates," she muttered.
Gibbs gave a lopsided grin as he extended a hand. "Welcome aboard, Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth hesitated. "Mr. Gibbs?" she asked, surprised to see him.Will pulled himself up next, water cascading from his clothes as he stumbled onto the deck. Arlo followed, moving more fluidly, wringing out his sleeve.
Gibbs frowned, glancing past them. "Hey, boy where be Jack?"
Will didn't hesitate. His expression was grim, his voice flat. "He fell behind."
Silence settled over the deck for a moment. The crew exchanged uneasy glances. Elizabeth's face fell, but before she could say anything.Arlo exhaled through his nose, deep in thought. Jack should've been captured by now, if this played out like the movies but this wasn't a script.
Arlo reached into his coat and pulled out a small, worn coin, turning it over between his fingers. He muttered under his breath,
"Is Jack in immediate danger ?"
"Is Jack in immediate danger ?"
"Is Jack in immediate danger ?"
"Is Jack in immediate danger ?"
---
Repeating the phrase seven times before flipping the coin. It spun in the air before landing squarely in his palm heads. Which mean Jack wasn't in immediate danger.
Gibbs, having watched the ritual with a furrowed brow, asked, "What was that?"
Will and Elizabeth turned their attention toward Arlo as well.
Arlo simply tucked the coin away and patted Gibbs on the shoulder."A bit of fortune-telling," he said with a small smirk. "Jack will be fine... for now. But we need to move."
Gibbs sighed and nodded. "Aye, that much I can agree on. We're away!"
---
[H.M.S. Interceptor – OPEN SEA]
The Interceptor cut through the waves under full sail, the ocean stretching endlessly ahead. The salty breeze whipped against Arlo's face as he perched up in the crow's nest, scanning the horizon through a brass telescope. His instincts gnawed at him—something wasn't right.
Then he saw it.
A ship, dark and shadowed against the night, its black sails billowing ominously. Upon closer inspection, Arlo's stomach twisted. The Black Pearl. Without hesitation, he descended from the mast with practiced ease, hitting the deck and making a beeline for Gibbs and Anamaria.
"We've got a problem," Arlo said, handing the telescope to Gibbs
Gibbs peered through, his face darkening. "The Pearl."
Anamaria cursed under her breath. "She's gaining."
Gibbs turned, barking orders. "Hands aloft to loose ta'gallants! With this wind dead astern, she'll carry every sail we've got!"
Elizabeth rushed toward them. "What's happening?"
Arlo turned toward her, voice even. "The Black Pearl. She's gaining on us."
Elizabeth's face paled. "But this is the fastest ship in the Caribbean!"
Arlo let out a dry chuckle. "Fastest ship? Yes. Fastest, most dangerous pirate ship on the seven seas? That'd be the one chasing us."
Elizabeth's mind raced, and she turned to Gibbs. "Well, then, can't we lose them amongst those shoals?"
Arlo followed her gaze. Ahead, dark shapes dotted the horizon jagged islands and treacherous waters.
Gibbs considered. "We don't have to outrun 'em long. Just long enough..."
Anamaria was already ahead of him. "Lighten the ship! Stem to stern!"
Gibbs nodded. "Aye! Anything we can afford to lose, see that it's lost!"
Arlo immediately took action, shouting to the crew, "You heard 'em! Dump the dead weight!"
The crew sprang into motion, tossing crates, barrels, and excess cargo overboard. Arlo grabbed a nearby rope and began shoving heavy sacks off the deck, trying to give them every advantage possible.
***
[INTERCEPTOR: FORWARD DECK]
Will emerged from below deck, drawn by the commotion. He saw the crew throwing cargo overboard, saw the Black Pearl in relentless pursuit. Climbing onto the rigging for a better vantage point, his eyes scanned the deck.Then his face hardened.His boot came down on a cannon, stopping one of the crew members from rolling it toward the edge.
"We're going to need that," Will said firmly.
Arlo paused, catching the shift in Will's tone. He wasn't thinking about running anymore. He was thinking about fighting.
Arlo exhaled sharply. "Everyone, stop!"
The crew hesitated, waiting for direction.
Will turned to Gibbs. "We have to make a stand. We must fight!"
Silence. No one moved.Anamaria crossed her arms. "With what?"
Arlo smirked. "Anything. Everything. Anything we've got left."
Gibbs' expression turned grim, but he nodded. "Aye! Load the guns! Case shot and langrage! Nails and crushed glass! With a will, men!"
As the crew scrambled to arm the ship, Arlo took position, overseeing the loading of the cannons. If they were going to make a stand against the Pearl, they'd have to make every shot count. And if things went wrong?Well… things always went wrong.
---
[H.M.S Interceptor: DECK]
The Black Pearl loomed ever closer, its cannons loaded and ready to rake the Interceptor across her port quarter. Arlo stood alongside Gibbs, Will, and Anamaria, watching the inevitable unfold.
Gibbs let out a frustrated sigh. "The Pearl's going to luff up on our port quarter! She'll rake us without ever presenting a target!"
Gibbs continued "The Pearl's going to luff up on our port quarter! She'll rake us without ever presenting a target!"
Arlo didn't like the sound of that. He knew enough about naval combat to understand that if the Pearl got the right angle, they'd be torn apart before they could even return fire.Elizabeth, standing nearby, scanned the deck and then the bow of the Interceptor. Her eyes widened as an idea struck.
"Lower the anchor!" she blurted. "On the right side. On the starboard side!"
Arlo narrowed his eyes, running through the mechanics of it in his mind. The sudden drag from the anchor would whip the Interceptor around, bringing their broadside cannons directly to bear on the Pearl. Just like in the original timeline. It worked in the movies, and it would work here. The three of them turned to her, exchanging looks of utter disbelief.
"You're daft, lady!" Anamaria said. "You both are!"
Will nodded. "It could work!"
Gibbs scoffed, then let out a barking laugh. "Daft like Jack!"
He turned toward the crew. "LOWER THE STARBOARD ANCHOR!"
The crew hesitated, casting confused glances at one another.
Gibbs wasn't having it. "Do it, you gobs! Or it's you we'll load into the cannons!"
That got them moving. Arlo rushed over to help the crew, grabbing a length of rope and pulling hard as the anchor chain uncoiled. The metal links rattled loudly, the heavy iron anchor plunging into the dark water.The ship lurched violently. The forward momentum of the Interceptor yanked against the anchor's sudden drag, causing the ship to pivot sharply. Arlo stumbled slightly but kept his footing.Elizabeth turned back toward Anamaria at the wheel.
"Let go!" Anamaria let go just as the wheel spun wildly, the ship pivoting faster than seemed natural. The Interceptor's bow dipped low in the water before the force of the turn swung it around, broadside cannons now perfectly aligned with the Pearl.
Arlo heard the strained creak of the anchor spool, the rope straining dangerously under the force. The entire maneuver had worked, but it had put the ship under an immense amount of stress. He took the moment to subtly reach into his inventory, wrapping his fingers around the familiar grip of his threaded cane. With a practiced motion, he materialized it into his grasp, concealing it just beneath his coat. The weapon was one of his more useful tools—a trick weapon within a cane that could shift into a flexible whip. If things got personal, he wanted to be ready.
Arlo barely had time to register the creaking and groaning of the anchor cable straining under the force when Will's voice rang out over the deck—"FIRE ALL!"The night erupted into thunder and flame as both ships fired their broadsides.The Interceptor's cannons blasted at near point-blank range, sending smoke and shrapnel across the sea. But the Black Pearl took the hits with ease. Reinforced hull. Thicker planks. The cursed pirates didn't even flinch.In contrast, the Interceptor was not built for this kind of punishment. The Pearl's return fire ripped through the deck, sending splinters and debris flying.
Arlo ducked behind the gunwale as debris rained down. "We are definitely not winning this firefight," he muttered.
Gibbs hunkered down beside him. "We could use a few more ideas, lass!" he shouted toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Your turn!" Arlo exhaled sharply. "I might have something!"
Gibbs grabbed him by the collar. "Then get to it!"
A slow, almost reckless grin spread across Arlo's face. "Might be a little crazy."
Without waiting for a response, he sprinted across the deck under a hail of musket fire. His mind raced. If I were playing this in a game, what would be the best move right now? His eyes landed on a cluster of powder kegs near the gun deck. Perfect
Sliding into cover, he grabbed one of the smaller barrels, feeling the weight. Poking a hole in the wood, he tore off a strip of cloth from his coat and jammed it into the opening, creating a makeshift fuse
He struck the flint, sparking the cloth to life."Hope physics works the way I think it does," he muttered before hurling the keg with everything he had.The barrel sailed through the air, tumbling end over end before smashing against the Pearl's deck. For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then—BOOM! A fiery explosion ripped through the deck, sending cursed pirates tumbling backward. The blast knocked loose a few cannons and set part of the ship ablaze.Arlo ducked just in time to avoid a piece of flaming debris.
Gibbs gawked. "By the powers, lad, that actually worked!"
Arlo dusted himself off, smirking. "Never underestimate the power of improvised explosives."
The explosion had bought them a few precious moments. But the Pearl was still coming. And Arlo had the sinking feeling this fight was far from over.