Battle of Calypso's Maelstrom

*"Dying is the day worth living for!"*

The **Battle of Calypso's Maelstrom** was the final battle fought in the War Against Piracy, as the pirate fleet amassed against the East India Trading Company, and the *Black Pearl* faced off against the *Flying Dutchman* in a fateful final battle in the center of the maelstrom brought about from the rage of Calypso. Both ships fired on one another as the leading parties of both ships, Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann and William Turner fought against Davy Jones to capture his heart. During the fight, Will was stabbed fatally by Jones. Turner then stabbed Jones' heart, killing him and winning the battle. This also meant that Will took the role of Captain of the *Flying Dutchman.* With both the *Dutchman* and the *Pearl* fighting for the pirate armada, they surrounded the HMS *Endeavour* and unleashed their firepower upon the East India Trading Company flagship, destroying Lord Cutler Beckett and committing the act that ended the war.

## Prelude

##### A Declaration of War

To combat the increasing pressure from the East India Trading Company as they massacred pirates across the seas, Hector Barbossa called upon the Brethren Court to assemble and determine a means of defeating their enemy. Barbossa had made a deal with Calypso to free her from her human bonds, and proposed this idea to the Court, freeing her and using her gratitude to turn the tide of the war. However, the pirates turned down the idea in favor of going to war directly in combat against their enemy on the open seas. To make a declaration of war, they needed to elect a new pirate king. They chose Elizabeth Swann. With Swann as their new king, they declared war against the East India Trading Company and prepared every vessel they had to sail out in preparation for combat.

##### Calm Before the Storm

The pirates assembled on the water outside Shipwreck Cove, come together in an armada. Outside the island they waited for their enemies arrival, watching the horizon. Eventually, the EITC arrived, a huge armada of ships that outnumbered that of the pirates approached, lead by the *Endeavour.* Seeing that a direct assault would also definitely end in the pirates annihilation, Jack suggested a call for parley. The call was answered with both sides meeting on land of a small island between both fleets, Barbossa, Swann and Jack representing the pirates, while Will, Beckett and Jones represented the EITC. Barbossa spoke first, accusing and naming Will as the cur that lead the EITC to their doorstep. Elizabeth spoke out to Will, trying to tell him that the cause of rescuing his father is lost and that by speaking to "Bootstrap" she feared it was already too late. Will did not hear it. Cutler Beckett revealed to all present the deal he had made with Jack to expose the pirates. He rewarded Jack with the return of his compass and immunity from the EITC. Davy Jones however continued to bear his debt on Jack. Elizabeth, betrayed by Jack, called for an exchange, to leave with Will so that they could keep Jack. The deal was made, but not before Barbossa faked a protest that allow him to forcefully take Jack's piece of eight without anyone noticing. Elizabeth ended the talks by speaking directly to Beckett, saying the pirates will fight and Beckett will die. Then she, Barbossa and Will left, returning to the pirate fleet.

##### Freeing Calypso

Jack was taken back to the *Flying Dutchman*, placed in the brig. As Elizabeth returned to the fleet, she spoke to Will about strategy, namely planning on using the *Black Pearl* as the pirate flagship. She did however stop as she saw Tia Dalma, tied up and raised onto the deck. She learnt that Barbossa had now secretly collected all nine pieces of eight, and planned to free Calypso without the aid of the Brethren Court. When Elizabeth protested, he said that for too long his fate had not been in his own hands. While the EITC prepared for war, the pirates observed as Barbossa placed all nine pieces of eight into a bowl and prepared to burn them, speaking the phrase that would release Calypso. On his first attempt, it did not work. Ragetti stepped forward, speaking the phrase in what he thought was a more powerful way. This worked immediately, setting the nine pieces of eight alight. Calypso was pushed into breathing in the fumes. Just before he transformation began, Will broke forward, informing her that it was Davy Jones who had told the Brethren Court how to bond her and that it was his doing to push her into human form. Enraged and betrayed, Calypso began to grow into a true form, yelling with fury. For a moment she seemed calm, allowing Barbossa to bow and ask for a favor in return for his fulfilling of his vow; to turn her fury on those who would be the masters of the ocean, meaning Beckett. She gave no response before bursting out of her physical form and into millions of small crabs that flew off the ship and into the ocean. Calypso had been freed. Her influence began almost immediately, bringing about her power to create a maelstrom. Mere moments after her disappearance, the wind became violent and the sky became grey. She intended to allow the *Black Pearl* to harness the wind and the sea to give it an equal chance in it's coming fight against the *Flying Dutchman* and EITC.

## Recount

##### Charge to War

The time before the explosion of battle begun heating up as Elizabeth Swann refused to admit defeat without the help of Calypso. She stood above her men and called out to hoist the colors and to fight in the name of their freedom. She roused the men into a fighting frenzy, taking them into battle. The colored flags of the pirates were raised as they began their final approach into battle against their would be masters. On the *Endeavour* Cutler Beckett called for his side of the battle to begin. He sent word to the *Dutchman* to begin their attack and give no quarter. Mr Mercer received the instruction, yelling the orders to the crew of the *Dutchman*, which began it's approach. Davy Jones looked up into the sky to see the maelstrom beginning to form and rain begin to pour. He understood that this meant Calypso had been freed. He cried out before rushing into battle alongside his crew. Both the *Black Pearl* and the *Flying Dutchman* lead the charge into battle, both reaching the heart of the maelstrom forming in the water first. Barbossa took the helm of the pirate flagship, leading them into the storm.

Davy Jones stopped Mr Mercer from steering them around the heart of the storm on the water, taking them through and into the abyss. Mr Mercer was powerless to stop Jones from taking command. Jones opened fire on the *Pearl* with his bow cannons, firing the first shot of the final conflict. To outrun their pursuers, Barbossa brought the ship into the abyss too, riding the faster waters through the eye. Both ships prepared their cannons, waiting until both ships ran opposite ends of the abyss. As they ran into each other's aim, both ships opened fire on one another with their main batteries. As they opened fire, Jack escaped the brig, using the technique he had learnt at Port Royal from Will the previous year. He made his way to the captains quarters to find the heart, finding it guarded by Murtogg and Mullroy. Once again, Jack was able to distract the guards with non-important gossip, taking the Dead Man's Chest that they were guarded from them without them noticing.

Mr Mercer called for the men on the *Dutchman* to prepare to board, moments before his life was saved by Davy Jones, who pushed him out of the way before he was struck by a cannon. With most of Mercer's men dead however, Davy Jones saw an opportunity to retake full command of his ship. He grabbed Mercer, using his tentacles to push into every hole in his face, suffocating, blinding and tearing him apart from the inside. Mercer didn't last long until he died, at which point Jones took the key to the Dead Man's Chest from his corpse as it fell onto the deck. Jones had regained full control of the ship. As Davy Jones came down the steps from the hull he crossed paths with Jack Sparrow as he attempted an escape. He surrounded Jack, bringing out his sword. Jack quickly fled, using a rope to launch himself up onto the masts. His escape was not fully successful however, as Davy Jones used his powers to appear on the mast only moments after, entering in a duel with Jack on the balancing board.

Both ships launched their boarding crews, sending over men on ropes to swing to the opponents ship. Several of the men fell to their deaths during their swing, others were shot off their ropes before they could reach their destination. Immediately on both ships, fighting with pistols and guns began, intensifying the battle. On the *Black Pearl*, Will became aware that this battle may be his final moments, proposing to Elizabeth. They decided to get married there and then, calling to Barbossa to marry them on the ship. Barbossa did so, officiating their marriage as he continued to fight. Among the fighting, Will and Elizabeth became husband and wife. Jack and Davy Jones continued their duel on the mast. Jones revealed to Jack that he had the key, which made Jack useless with the chest. Jack immediately used his sword to cut through Jones' tentacles, releasing the key to fall onto the deck of the ship. When Jack tried to land another blow, Jones caught Jack's sword in his claw, snapping the blade in half. Below, Barbossa beheaded Morey.

Suddenly, the ships came so close together that the masts hit one another, connecting and keeping both ships from being swallowed by the abyss. The strike of both ships hitting caused Jack to fall from his mast, however he was caught by Jones who grabbed the Chest, onto which Jack held. Davy Jones used his strength to launch Jack up and away, causing him to let go of the chest and fall. He was caught by Clanker, who swung on a rope over to the *Black Pearl*. Jack held on, swinging back round to face Jones. Jack hit Clanker off the rope with his pistol, then turning the pistol onto Jones. Jack fired, hitting the chest out of Jones' hand. The chest landed on Hadras, who's head fell into his body. Hadras then stumbled around for a moment before tumbling over the side and into the abyss. The Dead Man's Chest lay on the deck of the *Dutchman*. Will took a rope, swinging over to the *Dutchman*, where he took the chest. As Will tried running through the ship with the chest, he ran into Maccus who launched into attacking Will. Maccus was stopped by Jack the Monkey, who had been fired out of a cannon on the *Pearl,* where he landed on Maccus and immediately attacked his face. Will then ran right into his own father, "Bootstrap", who was unable to remember the face of his own son, striking out and attacking him.

Davy Jones chased after the chest, reaching it on the floor at the helm just as Will was fighting "Bootstrap". Just before he could grab the chest however Jack landed in-front of him, having swung down on the ropes. Jack entered into a fight against Davy Jones once more to stop him from getting the chest. Meanwhile, Murtogg and Mullroy used a rope to escape the *Flying Dutchman* and seek safety on the *Pearl.* Jack was defeated by Jones, knocked to the floor. Before he could grab the chest he was stopped yet again, this time by Elizabeth Swann who had also just swung aboard. Elizabeth and Jones dueled for the chest. Will continued fighting his father. While Jack lay on the floor, he watched with curiosity as the severed tentacle of Jones that held the key moved past. He took the key. Will defeated his father just as Jones defeated Elizabeth. Just as Jones went for the killing blow on the Pirate King, Will stabbed Jones through the back. Jones however hurt was still alive. He quickly hit down Will, knocking him down.

Jones stood over both Will and Elizabeth, recognizing the expressions of their faces. Love. He prepared to sever their bond, asking Will if he feared death. Jack interrupted, asking Jones the same question. Jones turned to see that Jack had unlocked the Dead Man's Chest and now held his heart at the end of his broken sword. Jones watched Jack who threatened to execute him where he stood. Not showing fear of death however, Jones turned and stabbed Will in the heart. Jack stood frozen while Elizabeth rushed to Will's side. Suddenly, "Bootstrap" launched back into the fight, having heard Elizabeth calling his son's name, the memories of his son came back. He jumped onto Jones, punching and slashing at his captain. Just as Jones prepared to execute Bill, he caught himself in pain as his heart was stabbed. He turned one last time to see that Jack had given William Turner the heart, and in Will's final moments he had used the last of his strength to stab the heart. Davy Jones took his last breaths, looking to the sky and speaking the word Calypso, before his body slumped and died, causing him to fall backwards and off the ship into the abyss. Davy Jones was dead.

With the captain of the enemy ship dead, Barbossa called for a retreat as the *Pearl* headed dangerously to enter the abyss too. Joshamee Gibbs launched chain-shots up and into the masts, breaking them free of one another. Barbossa was able to ride the fast waters to propel them up the water wall and out of the maelstrom. The crew of the *Dutchman* retreated, coming to surround Will and prepare to remove his heart, making him the new captain of the *Dutchman.* Jack was forced to remove Elizabeth from the area and leave Will's body behind. They used a sheet to hit and wind and left them up and out of the abyss as the *Flying Dutchman* was swallowed by the abyss. With the ship of Davy Jones taken by the sea, the maelstrom ended and the battle between the two ships ended. Jack and Elizabeth landed in the ocean not far from the *Black Pearl.* They were taken aboard the ship to find mess and bodies. Joshamee Gibbs reminded Jack that the armada was still out there despite their victory against the *Dutchman.* Joshamee Gibbs suggested that they run as the *Endeavour* approached them. Jack however, confident that Will would return as captain of the *Dutchman* refused to run.

##### The Pirates vs the EITC

Jack belayed all orders to retreat, choosing instead to continue it's course to face down the *Endeavour* directly. Unwilling to honor his agreement to give Jack immunity against the EITC, Beckett prepared all cannons aboard his ship in preparation to annihilate the *Pearl.* Suddenly, the *Flying Dutchman* burst from the water, the ship wiped clean from its ocean bed appearance. Similarly, the crew were free of their grim appearances, now in the service of Will Turner. Will and Jack immediately understood their job, moving together to turn and sandwich the *Endeavour* between their two ships. Shocked by the revelation that the *Dutchman* was no longer his, Lord Beckett stood in silent shock as the pirate ships approached. They closed in, bringing Beckett's ship between them... and opened fire. Both ships tore the navy ship to pieces in moments, destroying every inch of the ship. Lord Cutler Beckett came down the stairs of the ship, staring out at the destruction. Eventually the ship exploded, swallowing and killing both Cutler Beckett and the ship itself. The two pirate ships continued on past the wreckage of the *Endeavour.* The pirates rang out in joy of their victory, seeing the EITC ships retreating away from their enemy pirate ships. The war and the battle was ended.

## Aftermath

##### Next: ...

With the death of Lord Cutler Beckett, the loss of control over the *Flying Dutchman* and destruction of the *Endeavour,* the EITC ended it's war on piracy, ending the conflict between the two factions.

##### Barbossa's Second Mutiny

Jack celebrated his victory with a trip to Tortuga, making port and leaving his ship in the good care of Hector Barbossa. Barbossa however still felt that the *Black Pearl* was his ship. He set out on the ship without Jack, leaving him and Gibbs stranded on Tortuga with a small dingy. Barbossa captained the *Black Pearl*, taking the Mao Kun Map with him. Jack returned to port to see that his ship had been stolen by Barbossa once again. He had however seen this coming, taking the center of the Mao Kun map for himself so to rid Barbossa of something. Jack, content that one day the *Pearl* would make it's way back to him, set out on the small dingy with the Mao Kun Map, making plans for a new quest for treasures he may find using the map. Meanwhile, Barbossa had told his crew that they were to set out to locate the Fountain of Youth using the Mao Kun Map, however as the crew asked to see the map to ease their guilt at leaving Jack behind, Barbossa discovered the missing map. Instead, Jack began the journey to find the Fountain himself.

##### The Pirate King and Captain of the *Dutchman*

Elizabeth and Will had payed a high price for their victory. With Will's new responsibility to the *Dutchman,* he could only set foot on land once every ten years. Elizabeth said her goodbyes to the motley crew and Jack Sparrow, leaving aboard a rowboat back to Shipwreck Island where she met her husband for the last time before he was forced to set out for 10 years at sea. They spent time together on the beach until sunset, when Will gave Elizabeth the Dead Man's Chest with his heart inside. She vowed to keep it safe and keep a weather eye on the horizon. With that, Will set out onto his ship.

## List of Combatants

(Those who lost their lives in combat are noted with a star)

#### *Black Pearl* Crew

1. Pirate King Elizabeth Swann
2. Captain Jack Sparrow
3. Captain Hector Barbossa
4. Joshamee Gibbs
5. Will Turner
6. Marty
7. Cotton
8. Pintel
9. Ragetti
10. Jack the Monkey
11. Tai Huang

#### *Flying Dutchman* Crew

1. Captain Davy Jones\*
2. First Mate Maccus
3. Ratlin
4. Penrod
5. Angler
6. Quartermaster
7. Boatswain Jimmy Legs
8. Head Gunner Ogilvey
9. Primary Navigator Koleniko
10. Navigator Greenbeard
11. Clanker
12. Crash
13. Hadras\*
14. Wyvern
15. Jones' Bodyguard Palifico
16. Elite Fighter Cannon Arm
17. Elite Fighter Morey\*

#### EITC

1. Lord Cutler Beckett\*
2. Ian Mercer\*
3. Lieutenant Greitzer (MIA)
4. Lieutenant Theodore Groves
5. Endeavour Officer (MIA)
6. Mullroy
7. Murtogg

## Appearances

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End