Benj couldn't move. The steel links of the net biting into his skin as he struggled. If his skin was as thin as a humans, then he would be already be bleeding. But every movement only pressed harder against the sharpness. His tough mer skin wouldn't hold out forever. However, he kept on struggling. Deep instinctual panic making his blood race. Mermaids were a free race. To be confined was to be as good as dead. And nets were their worst nightmare. Benj hated how weak he felt in that moment.

Below him on the deck, Barbosa and the crew laughed as they watched him wriggle. Elizabeth and the rest of the Interceptor's crew restrained. They were tied with a long length of rope to the mast, their faces sour with disgust and anger. Jack was being held by two massive crew members. Hands bruising his arms. "Fancy meeting you here Jim", Barbosa remarked with a smug chuckle. He reached up with his blade and poked it through the net. It sliced a cut through his trousers and across his thigh. Benj hissing from the sharp sting.

"You've grown up well Boy. Quite a looker. Shame to see you still hanging around with Jack here. He's not a good influence". Benj snarled at Barbosa's patronising tone.

"I'll have you know I'm a excellent influence", Jack objected. Elizabeth rolled her eyes visibly at that.

Barbosa ignored him. He examined the few drops of blood on his blade curiously. The cut he had left was not particularly deep, Benj's net still hoisted too high off the deck for them to reach properly. "As soon as this curse is over, we're going to be rich!" The black Pearl roared as Barbosa held the sword up for them all to see. "The money we can make off him", Barbosa sighed wistfully. Benj paled and snarled even louder, teeth sharp against his bottom lip.

"That's horrendous!" Elizabeth's scandalous voice breaking the cheers.

Barbosa whirled. "You got a problem Miss swan?" He asked, tone a hissed threat as he met her gaze.

Elizabeth raised her head haughtily and Benj silently commended her bravery. "You mean to chop him up for some sick science experiment. Even by pirate standards, that is a new low", she spat the words, tone dripping with contempt.

Barbosa laughed a barking cackle. "It wouldn't be the first time Miss Swan. Dear Jim here has had it coming ever since he swam off with the Turner boy twelve years ago. He cost us twelve more years of being under this curse. So by these so called 'pirate standards' Miss Swan, we've already sunk to the bottom of the sea". The last words a bitter taste on Barbosa's tongue.

"You monster!" Elizabeth shrieked. She bent under the rope and flew at him in a flurry of skirts.

Barbosa caught her easily and pushed her back. Her small form falling heavily to the deck. "You took advantage of our hospitality last time", his grin was slimy. "It do well for you to return the favour". The crew snatched her up. Meaty hands tugging at her hair and dress as she shrieked.

"Let her go!" Benj growled, struggling futile against the net. He snarled, sharp teeth bared down at the pirates and eyes black with anger.

Barbosa swiped at him with his sword. Another sharp stinging making Benj gasp as the blade gave him another cut, this one on his calf. Red blood dripped to the deck as he growled. "I'll have none of your back talk boy", Barbosa snapped. "Fish should be silent".

"Barbosa!" A shout broke through the noise. The crew went silent, Elizabeth's shrieks dying as they all turned to the noise. Benj wriggled and managed to twist the net so he could see. Will was standing on the railing in all his soaked glory. One hand on the rigging, another holding aloft the gold medallion. In one smooth movement, he jumped down and cocked a pistol, the barrel pointed at Barbosa's chest. "Elizabeth and Benjamin go free!"

"What's in your head boy?" Barbosa barked.

"Elizabeth and Benjamin go free", Will repeated. His tone stern. Elizabeth redoubled her struggle against the crew but all Benj could do was watch from his net. Blood still dripping from his cuts and skin chafed from the metal.

Barbosa smirked as he stepped closer to Will. "You've only got one shot", he drawled. "And we can't die".

Will glanced around. Jack was mouthing at him, shaking his head and pressing his hands together pleadingly. 'Don't do anything stupid' he was mouthing. Will ignored him and glanced up at Benj, eyes hardening at the sight of blood and at the way the net cut into his skin. The merman was disheveled. Clothing torn and wet. Hair knotted and lips pulled back in a continuing snarl. At Will's gaze, Benj blinked and his expression fell into wide eyed blankness. Seemingly curious about what Will was going to to next.

Will turned and bounded back onto the railing. He stuck the barrel of the pistol under his chin, eyes sharp as if daring them to do something. "You can't, but I can".

Jack sighed and looked up to where Benj was swaying gently. His expression accusing. "I blame their stupid choices on you", he hissed. Benj gave him a deadpan look. If there was anyone who held the example for stupid choices, it was Jack.

"Who are you?" Barbosa frowned.

"No one!" Jack interrupted. "He's no one. A distant cousin of an aunts nephew, twice removed. Excellent singing voice, he's a eunuch". Benj couldn't help but grin at that.

Jack's efforts were for naught though, as Will immediately shouted. "My name is Will Turner. My father was Bootstrap Bill Turner. His blood runs in my veins". The pirates of the black Pearl paused and looked him over once again.

"He's the spitting image of old Bootstrap", one voiced. "Come back to haunt us". Benj was sniggering in his net now. Who'd have thought that the undead pirates of the black Pearl were afraid of ghosts.

"On my word you'll do as I say", Will state. "Or I'll pull this trigger and both me and the medallion will be lost to Dave jones' locker".

Barbosa frowned calculatingly. "Name your turns Mr Turner".

"Elizabeth and Benjamin go free!" Benj blinked at surprise at his full name. He couldn't remember the last time he used his full name. Only his mother ever used it. It sounded nice in on Will's voice.

"Yes we know that one. Anything else?"

"And the crew, the crew are not to be harmed", Will added. Jack visibly sighed and pressed his hands to his face. Both him and Benj already sensing the trap Will had landed himself in.

Barbosa smirked like a cat with cream. "Agreed".

Unedited.