The cave of treasures was as dazzling as before. Benj felt his fingers twitching at the sight of all the gold and jewels scattered around him. He still had the ruby he had stolen last time in his pocket and it was burning with the need for friends. If only he could get his hands untied then he could fill his pockets with gold and jewels and make off into the sea.  Those thoughts were disrupted by a harsh shove that sent him stumbling on the rocks.

"I see the look in your eyes Jimmy boy", Barbosa smirked. "But after this the treasure will be all mine and you will be a pet in a fish tank". He turned with a whirl of his coal and marched further through the caves towards the glistening pile of gold where the chest of dabloons waited. It was lit by the moonlight above and the water around it made his teeth sharpen.

"Don't worry", one of the pirates said to Will cheerfully as they pushed him forwards. "Just a little prick on the finger. It won't hurt at all".

"He's only half Bootstrap", another pirate grunted. "We take no chances, we spill it all". He shoved Will forwards. The man caught Benj's eye and then rolled them. Benj sniggered back and Will's lips twitched.

"Keep moving!" A pirate kicked them back into a walk. "Not you". Benj hissed a a hand grabbed him by the back of the neck and tugged him back. More pirates coming forwards to hold his arms steady as he struggled. He watched grimly as Will was marched up the mound of gold to stand before the chest. Barbosa raising his arms triumphantly next to him as the pirates all started chanting. Benj snarled as one pirate bent Will over the coins, baring his neck as another pirate handed Barbosa a knife. Will struggled but their hold on him was too tight.

"Begun by blood!" Barbosa spoke up as the cheering began to quieten. "By blood and..." he faltered. Benj glanced round and his eyes widened as Jack pushed into the front of the crowd. Then he snorted. Trust Jack to turn up like a bad penny.

"Jack?" Will gasped as he looked up. The pirates all fell silent.

"It's not possible", Barbosa muttered.

Benj laughed loudly, giggling so hysterically that he was shaking. "Of course it's possible. The man is Captain Jack Sparrow. He's like a cockroach. He turns up like a bad omen and cannot seem to die".

"What my delightful first mate said", Jack flicked a lazy finger towards Benj. "But I think I am better than a cockroach, thank you. Certainly more charming". Benj snorted pointedly and rolled his eyes. Jack gave him a brief look so exhasperation before turning his attention back to Barbosa.

"Where's Elizabeth?" Will called. Benj sighed at the mention of her name again. Jack waved his hands.

"She's safe just like I promised. And she's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised and you get to die for her jus trike you promised. So we're all men of our word really. Except for Elizabeth, who is, in fact, a woman".

"Shut up!" Barbosa snarled. "You're next!" The pirates holding Will shoved his closer to the gold again.

Jack held up his hand nervously. "You might not want to be doing that, mate".

Barbosa glared at him. "No I really think I do".

"Your funeral", Jack shrugged. Benj wondered what he was up too. He struggled against his captors and they tightened their bruising grip.

Up above, it seems like Jack's words made their effect. Barbosa raised his head suspiciously. "Why don't I want to be doing it?" He asked.

"Oh because", Jack replied as he started climbing the gold mound. "The HMS Dauntless, pride of the Royal Navy is floating just offshore. Waiting for you". A murmur of surprise and sudden anxiety ran through the crowd of pirates at the words. Jack grunted as he hopped to the top and strolled casually in between Will and Barbosa. "Just hear me out mate. You order your men to row our to the Dauntless. They do what they do best". The pirates cackled at the reminder. "Roberts your uncle, Fannie's your aunt. There you are with two ships, the makings of your very own fleet". Jack's voice was sly as he played to Barbosa's greed. "Of course you'll take the grandest as your flagship and who's to argue? But what of the Pearl? Name me captain and I'll sail under your colours, I'll give you ten percent of your plunder and you get to introduce yourself as commodore Barbosa, savvy?"

"I suppose in exchange you wanted me not the kill the whelp", Barbosa remarked. "And let your little fishy friend go".

"No, no, not at all. By all means kill the whelp. Just not yet". Benj's eyes widened as he realised what Jack was doing. Then he huffed. Trust Jack to try that plan. He should have known. "Wait to lift the curse at the opportune moment". At those words, Benj felt his nails and teeth sharped. He subtly twisted his wrist, taking advantage of the attention being on Jack, and began to pick at the dry ropes round his arms.

"For instance", Jack continued. Gold clinked as he scooped up a handful of gold Dabloons. "After you've killed Norrington's men, every. last. one". Each word was accompanied by a coin falling back into the chest. "And wouldn't it be good for us to have a merman on our service? Any treasure on the bottom of the ocean, he could get to us".

"You've been planning this from the beginning", Will accused. "Ever since you learned my name". He glanced over at Benj, eyes unreadable. Benj wondered what he was thinking.

"Yeah", Jack grinned. "We have". Benj internally winced but stayed silent. Maybe his and Jack's plan had not exactly gone according to plan, but it wasn't over yet. They could still salvage this. But some part of him was wondering what Will's reaction would be in the end. He hoped the man wouldn't hate him too much.

"I want fifty percent of your plunder", Barbosa announced, falling for Jack's trap.

"Fifteen".

"Forty".

"Twenty five! I'll buy you the hat. A really big one, commodore".

"We have an accord", Barbosa held out his hand and he and Jack shook.

"All hands to the boats", Jack waved. Barbosa and the pirates all looked at him. "Apologies, you give the orders".

"Gents", Barbosa grinned evilly. "Take a walk".

The pirates all began talking and laughing excitedly. As one they all turned and headed towards the cave entrance. Even the pirates holding Benj left, satisfied that he was tied up and therefore couldn't get away. Benj watched them go and waited until they had disappeared from sight before snapping his ropes and pulling his arms free. He rubbed his wrists with a sigh then leaned down to untie the rope on his ankles. "Good job Benj", Jack called down. "I was wondering when you'd get free".

Benj stretched his arms then sat down on the rocks, hands dancing through the treasures. "Is he not going to leave?" Barbosa questioned.

"Na", Jack waved his hand. "He works for me. We have a deal. He won't leave until the deal is complete".

"Also there are a lot of pretty treasures", Benj grinned as he held up a large sapphire. He tossed it up in the air before catching it and pocketing it swiftly. He turned and continued rummaging. "Ooo, a gold stature Jack". Jack perked up and stumbled down the rock to join him in looking through all the treasures.

"That's a nice piece, a very nice piece". Over by the water, still held captive by one pirate and his hands still tied, Will sighed and rolled his eyes. Pirates, typical.

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