Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.

Rating: T for now.

Characters: Most of the entire cast

Pairings: Will/Elizabeth, Jack/Anamaria,

Setting: After At World’s End

The Chosen

Chapter 18: The Battle

The command for attack had echoed through the area, both voices from Turner and James had almost meshed as one. No sooner had the two sentences been said when both armies ran forward, swords, axes, guns and an odd assortment of weapons were weld by both sides.

“Clear a path for the Admiral,” Commodore Taylor shouted before the first metallic clang of swords were heard. “He needs to get to the poor soul.”

Poor soul was not the first description James would have used for Turner. Ailing or possessed friend was how James had thought of the blacksmith. He was at least thankful the commodore hadn’t referred to him as a devil or demon. James did not dwell on that thought, not when one of the young assistants from the printers was rushing towards him, wielding a shovel.

James raised his blade, deflecting the curved tip of the spade. He swung around and struck at the bowl and quickly wielded the blade around and struck at the top of the spade, right where it meant with the long wooden handle.

The apprentice jumped back and raised the shovel high above his head and brought it down at a rush, aiming straight for the top of James’s skull.

James dodged the blow and swung at the shovel with great force. It was enough to cause the wood to splinter and crack, sending the spade of the shovel to fly off. He did not wait for the young man to react and swung again, this time knocking the remains of the weapon out of his hands.

The youth lunged himself at James, eyes had thinned into dark slits while his fingers were curled down like a cat about to pounce on a scurrying rodent.

James grabbed the youth by both wrists and tried to push him off him. Their feet shuffled along the cobblestone ground while the wrestled. They were not going to defeat each other this way.

“I guess you win,” James let his arms go lax, not immediately but slowly while guiding the boy’s fingers to his face. His eyes never left the sharp points of the dark fingernails. James did not close his eyes, even when his opponent’s fingers finally reached his lips. “Then again, maybe not.” He released the limp and unconscious form of the young printer.

There was another sleeping Minion a few feet away, the gunshot wound to his arm was slowly sealing over from the energy James and his Favorites were putting forth. Groves’s pistol was lying next to the Minion. The shot had been used for its purpose and the weapon had become useless.

James sought out the captain and his friend and found Groves near the sleeping Minion, engaged in a duel with another Minion. James grabbed his discarded blade and ran to aid the Favorite in battle.

It only took a mere few seconds after the chaos broke out for Elizabeth to not only be separated from James, but also her close friends. She was prepared and willing to fight by the sides of strangers, anything to save her husband from himself, but it would have been reassuring to fight alongside some familiar faces.

“Mrs. Turner, watch out,” the warning came from Murtogg who leaped in front of her and deflected the attack the man with the axe.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth gasped and turned to face another Minion, this one was a serving maid and wielded a long wooden rolling pin. Elizabeth made short work of her, knocking the baking utensil out from the maid’s hands before she grabbed a hand and kissed the top.

“Thank us when it is all over,” Mullroy shouted. He had joined his partner and friend and the two of them over powered the single Minion. “Stay back with Beatrice and Susan.”

Elizabeth had wondered why he wanted her to stay with his wife and the woman, Murtogg was wooing, unless they were confidant in her fighting skills and want her to protect the women they love.

Both Beatrice and Sarah stood together, armed with Murtogg’s and Mullroy’s Bayonets while the Marines fought with their swords.

“Stay close,” Elizabeth said as another Minion emerged from the crowd. This one was wielding a long knife, not a sword. Elizabeth jerked back when the knife came down at her and swung. She missed, but at her second swing she managed to cut his arm, causing him to drop the knife. “This will make it feel better.” She grabbed onto him and lowered her head towards his bleeding and exposed skin. She felt his body jerk back before she managed to kiss him.

“He was about to scratch you.” Sarah Mullroy held the arm of the unconscious minion.

“Beatrice,” Murtogg shouted and both women turned to see both a Minion and Beatrice collapse to the ground. “No, Beatrice.” He did not see another Minion, armed with a wooden cane behind him.

“Peter, you idiot!” Mullroy disarmed the minion while the older man jabbed at him with his hand. The Marine closed his eyes before he fell forward.

“Robert,” Both Susan and Murtogg shouted before the shorter marine clenched his teeth and struck out with his fist.

The Minion’s hands closed over his bleeding nose as he stepped backward, right into the path of Sarah who grabbed his shoulders and kissed his neck.

“We have to keep fighting,” Elizabeth said and turned towards the direction of her husband.

Jack ignored the constant falling bodies as he danced and parried against two men at the same time. He would have called on the help of Gibbs if his first mate were not too preoccupied with fighting against another Minion.

Jack jumped back when the tip of a blade came dangerously close to his chest and swung back. He was lucky these two men were not that well experienced with the blade. If he were fighting against Barbossa, or Norrington, or even the whelp he would have been in more trouble. Even Elizabeth was more skilled than they were.

“I could argue about the fairness of the situation,” Jack tried to laugh as he jumped over Pintel, or was it Ragetti? He wasn’t too sure and he could break his focus by seeing who it was. “Then again it would be foolish for a pirate to claim about what is a fair and what isn’t, hmmm?”

The explosion of gunshot echoed followed by one Minion clenching his side in pain and doubling over.

“Sorry about yer mate,” Jack made brought the blade against the other in a swift motion, knocking it aside. “But not as nearly as sorry as what I am about to do.” He nearly tackled the man before he pressed his mouth against the side of his face. “I am really sorry for myself.” He watched as the man fell. “You are not a woman, and then again not many are as beautiful as Ana or Lizzie, and at least Jaime is pretty for a man.”

“Quit yer blabbering about that,” Barbossa dropped his still smoking pistol. “We got more Minions to lay waste, we do not need fer ye to be thinking of such trivial matters.”

“I know,” Jack raised his index fingers. “Good example of pirates not being fair.” He pointed at the still injured minion. His wound was healing, but at an extremely slow rate. It made sense to Jack, less Favorites meant there would be less healing energy.

Barbossa just stared at him and pointed at his chin. “Ye came a bit too close.”

“Too close?” Jack blinked and grabbed for his goatee. He was only able to grab one of his two beaded strands. “That was too close.” Jack winced. He hadn’t noticed he had received an unwanted shave. “Where did it go?”

“We have no time for that,” Barbossa growled.

Jack stared at the ground until he found the dark braided strands and several beads. “Now I am ready,” He grabbed the remains of his goatee and followed after his old first mate.

James stared down at the sleeping form of Commodore Taylor in sorrow. The man had fought hard, there were several sleeping Minions surrounding him. James knew it was not an actual death. They were all-asleep and once he had vanquished the evil from Turner then everyone would wake up.

“We can’t do much for him now,” Theodore limped up to him. “We both have lost numbers.”

“I know,” James tried to find Turner. All he could see were still a few minor battles. “Why are you limping?”

“I may have sprained an ankle,” Theodore smiled weakly. “Looks like we are about to be joined.” He nodded towards the three women.

“James,” Elizabeth addressed him. Julia and Abigail flanked behind her. “Where is Will?”

“I do not know,” James wished he could find Turner, he even tried to hone in on the youth’s voice.

“Abigail,” Julia shouted as two minions rushed for them. She had brought up her sword in a clumsy hold for protection.

“Father?” Abigail’s arms went limp when she recognized one the Minions.

“Abigail don’t,” Elizabeth ran forward, brandishing her own blade. “He is still a Minion.”

“They can’t stand up to them,” Theodore ran as fast as his sore ankle could allow.

“Captain Groves,” James breathed deeply as he followed him. The three women clearly could stand up to several Minions if they were able to last this long.

Elizabeth placed herself between Abigail and Mr. Peterson; seeing as how Abigail was protected Groves and James went to aide Julia in battle.

“I have it,” James deflected the blade of the Minion in front of Julia. “Assist Miss Peterson and Mrs. Turner.” He rounded about, and struck again. His blade danced with the Minion’s while Julia lashed at their opponent’s legs.

The other man yelped and jumped back, crimson oozed from the fresh cut. James disarmed the Minion while Julia grabbed his hand and placed a kiss on his out stretched hand.

“Are you injured?” James asked.

Julia shook her head. “Neither hurt, or frightened, or even tired.” She smiled, briefly before her eyes widened.

James turned when she gasped and saw Elizabeth kneeling besides the fallen form of Groves. A sobbing Abigail had just kissed her father and Mr. Peterson was also on the ground.

“He isn’t hurt,” Elizabeth said softly.

“It was meant for me,” Abigail said between sniffles. “Father was trying to strike me and Theodore came in between us.”

“Any true naval officer would have done the same,” James told her.

“It is my fault,” Abigail tried to brush some of her tears away. “I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I should have kept fighting.”

“He was your father,” Julia told her. “We would have all let our guard down.”

“I should be there on the ground,” Abigail kneeled down besides Groves. “Not him. He knows how to fight and I don’t. I shouldn’t even be here. I shouldn’t have even kissed him and be turned into a Favorite.”

“Don’t say that,” Elizabeth grabbed her friend’s hand.

“You fight well,” Julia nodded. “You are better fighter than I am.”

“Miss Peterson you are right about one thing,” James said. “You should be lying down.”

“James,” Elizabeth stared at him in astonishment. “How could you say such a thing?”

“She needs to lay low,” James continued. “No one will attack her if they think she is defeated. If she is to move it is to crawl around.”

“She wants to fight,” Elizabeth rose to her feet.

“She is too hysterical now. Both she and Julia should stay low. They should not get close to Mr. Turner and myself.”

“I’m not staying,” Julia shook her head. “I want to find my father.” She held up her hand. “And I had a dream where I was helping a figure of light battle against a figure of darkness. James, you were that light.”

There was no sense in arguing with her. “The three of us shall continue, Miss Peterson, stay down.”

“My husband was on the wall,” Elizabeth pointed towards her father’s mansion. They were only a few feet from it, from where Turner and hid behind his soldiers, but there was no sign of Turner.

James searched the various battling groups. He was able to find pirates fighting against merchants, naval officers against shop owners, neighbors were fighting against neighbors, but he could not find Turner.

The black tip of a tail flicked back and James found Turner swiping his claws against Captain Maitland while he held up his sword against Mr. Carlisle’s.

“Father,” Julia gasped.

“Julia, I want you to try to get your father to safety,” James instructed. “After we distract Turner. Elizabeth you and I will face—“ He shuddered when he heard the clang of metal behind his back.

Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa were both fighting back to back against two other Minions.

“No time to watch,” Jack flashed a grin before he dodged another strike. “The whelp is yours.”

“We should honor his request,” James nudged Elizabeth forward and Grabbed Julia’s arm before he ran towards Turner.

“William Turner,” Elizabeth shouted. “Let him go.”

“Who is making such a demand?” Will brought the edge of his blade against Roland Carlisle’s arm, earning gasps from both father and daughter.

“From your wife,” Elizabeth lowered her sword. “I love you.”

Will had grabbed onto Roland by the shoulder, but his grip relaxed when he heard the words. “Elizabeth?” Confusion slowly turned to anger. “And Admiral Norrington. I knew you had left me for him.”

“Do not be foolish,” James told him. His own tail was swaying along to the same unheard rhythm as Turner’s. “Elizabeth cares more for you than you can possibly imagine. She would do anything for you, and deep in your heart you know that it is true.”

“I see that you have teamed up together to destroy what I have built,” Turner said.

“What have you built?” Elizabeth walked up to him. “You haven’t built anything. You have destroyed our home. Look at what you have done to Port Royal.”

“This is only the beginning,” Will released Carlisle, but not without a fierce shove to the ground. “You cannot build anew unless you have removed the old. I did this for us, Elizabeth.”

“I don’t want this,” Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “Look around, all our friends are sleeping. The will never wake up until you are back to normal.”

“Off course you don’t want this,” Turner’s scowl grew even darker. “You don’t want it because your Admiral doesn’t want it.” He stepped forward. The fingers of his free hand were pointing towards Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth get down,” James commanded. He almost felt like he had flown towards Turner and brought his blade up against the other Chosen. “I do not wish to hurt you.”

Turner blinked. “Lies,” he hissed as struck his blade against James’s.

“It is not a lie,” James sidestepped another thrust from Turner’s blade. “I consider you a friend, despite all that has happened in the past.”

“Bollocks.”

“It is true,” James reached for the vial. His hand only could grab the pouch containing the cross. He gritted his teeth. Where could it be?

“You also have fangs,” Turner’s eyes widened. “And you have a tail. What is under all this?” He used his sword to knock off James’s hat and wig. “Nice ears.”

“Unlike you, Mr. Turner, my features are a gift from Heaven.”

“How do you know I am not?”

“Because unlike you I gave my soldiers a choice.”

Julia kneed by her father’s side. “You shouldn’t have taken him on.” She tied her handkerchief around the bleeding wound on her father’s arm. “He is one of the most skilled swordsmen in town.”

“Somebody had too,” Her father smiled weakly. “They have attacked your friend, haven’t they?”

Julia shook her head no. “If you mean Abigail, then no, but if you mean able bodied men like Captain Groves, then yes. James told Abigail to stay back.”

“You should have stayed with her.”

“I couldn’t,” she gingerly touched the bruise on the side of her father’s head. “I had to make certain you were not in any danger.”

“We are all in danger,” He pointed. “Admiral Norrington had dropped something. I think it may have been important.”

Julia looked to where her father was pointing. She found a glass vial containing light reddish liquid. Where was Elizabeth?

The answer came in the form of Elizabeth her, standing several yards away and battling against another Minion.

James and Will were still locked in battle, but not only were the two men striking at each other with their swords, they were also running around, heading towards the wall.

Julia pounced on the vial and made certain the cork was still sealed and not a single drop had leaked out. She had to give it to James.

“Not so fast, Mr. Turner.” James had called out.

Julia had turned back to the battle and watched as Will had scrambled up to the top of the wall once again.

“Brash, Turner.” James muttered as he climbed up after the other Chosen. “This was a daring move on your part.”

“I do wonder if you are able to fight me when you are up here.” Turner said once their blades struck each other.

“I was able to fight you on the top of a moving water wheel,” James said as he thrust forward. “Elizabeth doesn’t love me. She loves you.” It wasn’t enough. He needed the vial. Even if he used the cross it still would not have been enough.

“I won’t listen to these lies.”

“You know in your heart they are not lies,” James said.

“William Turner,” Elizabeth shouted from the ground. “I love you. If it means shooting James, I will do it.”

“Elizabeth,” Will blink and lowered his blade.

“You see how much she loves you?” James removed his own pistol and threw it down. “Show him how much you love me.”

“No,” Will’s voice had turned into the hiss of a burning blade, fresh from the forge, submerging into water. The grip on his hilt had tightened “It is not true. It is only a ruse.” His eyes glowed even brighter. “You don’t have to kill him. I will do it myself.”

James braced himself against the sudden attack. His blade met against Turner’s but at the wrong angle. James cursed his mistake even though it would be the last thing he would ever do, except he was still holding onto his sword, by all means it should have been flung from his hands.

Turner’s eyes had nearly doubled in size. His grip was still firm, but was frozen.

James stared at the hilt of his sword and saw a second hand holding it. Pale and translucent it was surrounded by a faint blue glow. He quickly stared over his shoulder and nearly let go of the blade himself.

“Don’t drop it,” Andrew Gillette was as pale as his hand. The light from his aura had surrounded himself and James, the blue fire even reflected off the surface of the wall.

“Thank you friend,” James turned back to Turner and would have struck if he hadn’t heard Julia’s voice.

Julia had stared at the battle in horror. It may have been an illusion cast by the smoke, but it had almost looked like Will had a pair of dark bat like wings. She almost closed her eyes when he brought his sword down on top of the Admiral’s and heard the clang, but she didn’t hear the second one. There was no sound of metal falling onto stone.

She nearly dropped the vial when she opened her eyes. James was surrounded in glowing blue light. Now she knew how her dream was about to come true.

“James,” she shouted his name and threw the vial towards him.

James turned towards Julia as the glass vial was heading towards him. He bent down and caught it before he stood back up. “This has got to come to an end.” And with those words he threw the vial at Turner.

The glass broke and the mixture James and Elizabeth had prepared covered Turner’s chest, face and hands. The youth cried out in pain before he snarled and pounced on James.

“Your venom did not work,” Turner’s grip increased on James’s shoulders. The sounds he made in his throat was less human and more of the sound of an animal.

“It was only one of three parts,” James felt the clunky stone surface of the cross. “Elizabeth loves you.” His arm shot up and he held out the crucifix against Turner’s shoulders.

Turner stared at it. “She loves me,” his voice was faint. “She loves me and not you.” He grabbed it and wrenched it out of James’s hands. “It is all over, once I break this.”

James stared at the cross in disbelief. Tia Dalma had said it was supposed to help, unless Sparrow had sought after the wrong cross. The stone did not cause Turner’s flesh to hiss and the youth was not in any pain.

“Will,” Elizabeth cried. “Fight the evil. Don’t break the cross.”

“I have to break it,” Will’s smile grew even wider. “It is the only way.” He held onto it with all of his strength and twisted his hands, causing the pewter form to shatter.

As soon as the first stone piece fell all of a beam of golden light shot through, several slender beams cut through the stone covering, seeming as it was trying to break out of its shell. The light over took the crumbling stone remains.

The form of the light was in the blistering hands of Turner. He held onto a small crystal figurine in the shape of a bird, most likely a dove and despite how red his hands were and the bubbling of his flesh, Turner brought the crystal to his chest and howled out in sheer agony.

“William,” James reached out to grab Turner before they could fall off and almost recoiled from the burning touch of the other Chosen. He fought to keep his balance on the wall, but with the force of Turner’s body they both fell. James reached out and grabbed the top of the wall while he held onto the arm of the still screaming form of Turner in the other hand.

Turner’s horns lightened from black to light gray, the same color as ash, before they crumbled into dust. Turner’s tail followed the same fate and when James saw Turner’s flailing arm he could see more ash on the youth’s fingernails until it blew away, leaving clear human nails behind.

James felt his grip on the wall loosen. The pain from Turner was encrustation and he knew he could not hold on for long. At least it was only a few feet, nothing too serious, but he still tried to hold on. He did not let go, not until his mind had filled with darkness.

“Try not to trouble him,” the words sounded like they came from a great distance to James Norrington. “He has been through a serious event.” It was The Naiad’s doctor.

“We all know that,” Groves responded. “I was there.”

“He is about to wake up,” a third voice, Julia Carlisle.

“I think none of you should be here,” James’s maid, Christine said. “Save for the doctor.”

“Where am I,” James managed to moan before he opened his eyes. He was on a bed. He could feel the thickness of the pillow underneath his head and the sheets covering his body. “Where am I?” He repeated before he sat up.

“Don’t,” the doctor held out a hand. “Do not try to sit up too quickly.”

“I am not feeling any case of dizziness,” James scooted back. He reached behind himself and propped up a pillow. “I am feeling a bit famished.”

“What would you like to eat, Admiral?” Christine wrung her hands.

“Perhaps you should start him off with some broth,” the doctor suggested.

“Broth?” Christine rolled her eyes. “The Admiral is starving. He needs something more.”

“Something in between will do,” James said. “Beef stew sounds tempting.”

“I shall have it prepared for you at once,” Christine smiled at him before she left the room.

“What happened?” James asked. “The Aftermath. I can see your ears have gone back to normal.” James reached up to feel his own. There were no more feathery tufts and when he ran his fingers through his hair it was shorter. He stared at his hands. His fingernails were no longer white and he could no longer feel a tail.

“Those who haven’t been injured have carried those who were to the nearest beds,” Groves answered. “We are in the Governor’s mansion.”

“Mansion?” James blinked. “What of Will?”

“He is back to normal,” Julia said. “He woke up a few hours ago, had some tea and went back to bed. The doctor thinks he should be resting.”

“As should you,” the doctor nodded towards him. “Miss Carlisle, perhaps if you would check on your father?”

“He is on his way to our house,” Julia said. “He feels healthy.”

“Everything is over,” James sighed. “What of the pirates?”

“Sparrow and the others are gone,” Groves told him.

“Everything is back the way it should be.”

“Not exactly,” Groves frowned. “There are still places in town that need repairs, your own house for example.”

“Nothing that is too difficult,” James leaned back against the pillow even further. “Perhaps after I eat I should sleep some more.”

“After you have rested shall we resume our pursuit after Captain Scar?”

“Captain Scar can wait. I can’t leave Port Royal in the state she is in. I may no longer have my abilities, but I can still make sure this town is healed.”

“Father is thinking of talking to Governor Swann about the repairs,” Julia said. “He wants to help in some way.”

“We can get a list of those who want to help,” James said.

“I will tell him right away,” Julia made her way to the entrance of the room.

“Julia, I mean Miss Carlisle?” James had called before she left.

“Yes?” Julia paused.

“I was thinking of having a dinner party after we have finished the repairs. I was thinking of inviting the Turners, the Governor, Captain Groves, The Petersons, you and your father and several others.”

“We would be honored,” Julia smiled once more before he left.

“There is much to plan for,” James stared up at the ceiling. “Thank you, Andrew.”