Battle for the Fountain of Youth

*"Right, so, you will fight against them, they will fight against you, all on account of him wanting to kill him? Where is the sense?*

## Battle for the Fountain of Youth

### Combatants

British Royal Navy vs Queen Anne's Revenge vs The Spaniard Crew

### Location

Fountain of Youth, Mysterious Island

The **Battle for the Fountain of Youth** was a large scale assault between several interested parties for control over the Fountain of Youth. Blackbeard had led his crew aboard the *Queen Anne's Revenge* to the Fountain in his quest to rescue himself from a prophecy that foretold his death. Hector Barbossa had also set out for the Fountain, disinterested in the Fountain itself, but on a journey to quench his thirst for revenge against the mighty Blackbeard, who had taken his ship and his leg several years prior. Barbossa had turned the Navy into his ally, becoming a Privateer and leading a Navy crew to find the Fountain and claim it for King George II. The Spanish Navy had also set out for the Fountain, determined to destroy the Fountain after King Ferdinand determined that it was a threat to the Catholic Church.

Blackbeard was the first to find the Fountain of Youth, but was quickly chased down by Barbossa and his Navy allies. A fight broke out between the two groups that ended in Blackbeard sustaining a fatal stab wound from Barbossa. After Barbossa had gotten his much sought vengeance, he took Blackbeard's crew, ship and sword. The Spanish Navy then interjected into the conflict, shooting and killing Lieutenant Groves who had attempted to claim the land for the British. The Spaniard called for the destruction of the Fountain which was carried out. After the temple was destroyed the Spanish left, leaving only Jack, Angelica and a dying Blackbeard. Jack used the chalices and trickery to give Angelica Blackbeard's life and kill the mighty pirate.

## Prelude

##### Previous: Skirmish at Palm Tree Grove

The quest for the Fountain had been in the works for multiple years. Blackbeard had become interested in the Fountain after a prophecy was given to him by his Quartermaster that informed him that he would die by the hand of a one-legged man. Meanwhile, the British Navy sent out Privateer Hector Barbossa to find the Fountain so that it could be used by King George II, giving him eternal life. In truth however, Barbossa had no interest in serving the King, merely using his wishes to serve his own, which were to find Blackbeard at the Fountain and get revenge on the mighty pirate for the battle that had cost Barbossa to *Black Pearl* and his leg. The Spanish government had also sent out The Spaniard and his crew to find the Fountain, only with the desire to destroy it, believing that it's power was a threat to the Catholic Church. Jack Sparrow, the pirate who was famed for knowing the location of the Fountain, had been kidnapped by Angelica Teach and brought into the quest on the *Queen Anne's Revenge* to aid Blackbeard's position. Jack had helped Blackbeard find a mermaid at Whitecap Bay for use in the profane ritual that would allow one to drink safely from the Fountain, and had also helped Barbossa steal the silver chalices that were needed for the ritual.

Jack Sparrow left Barbossa and his Navy crew to return to Blackbeard as he and his crew made their way across the island. Jack brought with him Joshamee Gibbs who walked a fat pig whose job was to carry the chalices. Jack revealed to Blackbeard that the one-legged man was close, as was the Fountain. He agreed to hand over the chalices on two conditions; 1. No harm would come to Angelica, 2. He would get his compass back. Blackbeard refused. Angelica did however give Jack his compass back. Blackbeard also agreed to Jack's final condition; that Gibbs be allowed to live. Blackbeard agreed, taking the chalices from Gibbs and continuing on his way. Jack then gave his compass to Gibbs, telling him it would lead him to freedom. Jack continued on to lead the crew to the entrance of the cave that held the Fountain of the Youth.

Jack located the cave, noting that the water droplets nearby had begun to move upwards. They entered the cave, working through the dangerous tunnels and rocky slopes. One crewman fell victim to a falling stalactite and was killed. His body was left behind. Jack reached the dead end that he had last time been stopped at. He took the chalices and prepared to try and open the way to the Fountain. He clinked the cups together in dramatic fashion... to make nothing happen. Angelica questioned if Jack had ever actually seen the Fountain. He revealed that he hadn't and Blackbeard in his fury ordered the Quartermaster to shoot him. Jack was able to deflect the bullet with the metal of the chalices held across his face. As the chalices were in his eye-line, Jack noticed the inscription; Aqua de Vida. He read the words aloud, allowing the gate to open. Jack was the first to enter, passing through the gate and to the Fountain, soon followed by Angelica, Blackbeard and the rest of the crew.

## Recount

##### The One-Legged Man

As the crew of the *Queen Anne's Revenge* walked in awe around the space, Hector Barbossa and his crew entered behind them. Blackbeard was alerted to their presence by Angelica. The Quartermaster confirmed Blackbeard's fears... that it was the one-legged man from the prophecy. Barbossa strode into the space followed by his men, declaring that Blackbeard is now his prisoner by the authority of the King of England for crimes on the ocean. Blackbeard brought out the Sword of Triton, asking Barbossa if he dared face the might the sword possessed. Barbossa, so far from the *Queen Anne's Revenge,* was unfazed by the sword. Blackbeard faced his fear of Barbossa, stating that he would have one last fight. He gave the order to his crew to kill all their enemies. The fight begun.

The British Navy engaged with the crew of the *Queen Anne's Revenge* with pistols and cutlasses. Just as the fight was about the truly start, Jack interjected, shouting for them to stop. Jack tried to make a plea for peace between the sides while Blackbeard and Barbossa fought it out between themselves. Barbossa refused, calling for action. Blackbeard called to give no quarter. Blackbeard and Barbossa crossed swords while the fight rung out between all other fighters in the room. Jack jumped for cover. Lieutenant Gillette was pushed into the fighting between Blackbeard and Barbossa and his back was slashed open by Blackbeard. He fell limp onto Barbossa who simply tossed his body aside. Gillette died on the rocks. Angelica fought beside Scrum, who gave her the chalices as she called for them. He ran to follow her with the mermaid tear but was stopped by Jack Sparrow, who pointed his blade at Scrum. When Scrum refused, Jack fought him for it, winning and taking the tear. He quickly found himself at the pointy end of Angelica's sword alongside Scrum however. Jack threw the tear at Angelica who let go of her sword to grab the tear, allowing Jack to grab the sword. He then pulled the same trick again, allowing him to regain the tear and kick the chalices from Scrum's hand.

##### Destruction of the Fountain

Meanwhile, Blackbeard dominated his duel with Barbossa, using his heavy sword to break straight through Barbossa's cane, even mocking him and stating that he expected fate to put up more of a fight. Barbossa fell to his feet with a smile on his face, a smile that Blackbeard wanted wiped off before he dealt the killing blow. Barbossa revealed that his smile came from the new arrivals. Blackbeard turned to see the Spaniard and his entire fleet enter the space, surrounding all other forces. The fighting halted, including Jack who was being chased by Angelica to ownership of the chalices. Lieutenant Commander Theodore Groves attempted to claim the land in the name of King George II, however before he could finish his claim he was shot in the stomach by The Spaniard, a fatal shot. Groves fell to the floor, dead. The Spaniard did however tell someone within his ranks to make note of Groves' bravery in his final moments. The Spaniard took the chalices by force from Angelica, announcing that only God had the right to grant eternal life. He dropped the chalices, crushing them beneath his feet before tossing them into a pool. The Spaniard then called for his men to destroy the temple. The Spanish crew immediately began using rigging and boards to destroy the walls and foundations of the temple. Blackbeard approached the Spaniard, who attempted to ward off the pirate by bringing out his sword. Blackbeard had turned his back on Barbossa for only a moment, but time enough for Barbossa to use his poisoned sword to slash at the back of Blackbeard's hand, only to stab him in the stomach as he turned to face the privateer. Blackbeard fell backwards, Angelica rushing to his side. Jack called out to Angelica that the blade was poisoned, but she continued to remove the sword from her father's stomach, cutting open her hand on the blade, sealing her own fate. As Blackbeard lay dying, Barbossa added insult to injury, claiming his ship, his crew and his sword. Blackbeard's crew followed Barbossa out of the temple, leaving the rest to do as they will. The Spaniards fought the final remaining royal zombie officers, however they were crushed by falling temple structures, killing both Gunner and the Quartermaster. The Fountain itself was also destroyed by the same debris.

##### Final Fight

With the Fountain destroyed, The Spaniard and his crew retreated from the temple. Desperate to rescue Angelica, Jack searched for the crushed chalices in the pools of the room. He was aided by Syrena who had swam into the temple, delivering the sunken chalices to Jack, telling him not to waste her tear. With that, she was gone. Jack took the chalices while both Blackbeard and Angelica lay dying together on the floor. Jack was able to find a small remaining drip of the Fountain's water despite the destruction of the structure. He went over to where the two pirates lay, trying to give Angelica the one with the tear. She refused, still wanting to rescue her father. Jack had however anticipated that Blackbeard would save only himself. He misinformed both of them as to which chalice gave or took life. Blackbeard grabbed at the chalice that he thought gave life, but in truth took it. Angelica was forced to take the other and drink from the chalice that she thought took life, but in fact gave it. As the two pirates prepared for what they thought was going to happen, Jack turned and revealed his trickery. Blackbeard cried out, calling Jack the devil. Angelica noticed that the cut on her hand healed, while the water at Blackbeard's feet roiled. The water from the Fountain leapt out, surrounding Blackbeard in a viscous whirlwind, ripping the skin and muscle from his body, killing him. And with the end of the water attack, Blackbeard was dead and the battle was ended.

## Aftermath

##### Stranding Angelica

Angelica grew hatred of Jack for killing her father and giving her years of life to live without Blackbeard. Knowing that she would hunt him down and kill him, Jack tied up Angelica, taking her to Sola Fide Beach, where he planned to maroon her with a single shot pistol. Jack threw her out onto the beach and gave her one pistol with which to do with as she wished. He did let her know that the island he was abandoning her on was on a popular trade route, and that if she waited long enough a ship would come past as rescue her. As Jack sailed away, Angelica tried all sorts of lies to keep Jack staying with her, luring him in with love, treasure and tales of their child. Jack disregarded them all as lies. He was proven right as Angelica fired her one and only shot at him as he sailed away.

Jack then returned to a neighboring island where Joshamee Gibbs waited for him. During the battle, Gibbs had used Jack's compass to locate the *Queen Anne's Revenge,* board the ship and steal the bottle that held the *Black Pearl*, stealing it and fleeing to the island where Jack now found him. He revealed their successful bounty to Jack, much to Jack's delight. Without a real idea of how to return the *Pearl* to it's normal size, Jack and Gibbs set out together to continue their pirates life.

##### *Revenge's* New Captain

Hector Barbossa returned to the coast of the island, finding the *Queen Anne's Revenge.* He and the crew boarded the ship, with him as the captain. He disregarded his navy clothes and donned his black pirate garbs, taking one of Blackbeard's old hats as his own. He used the Sword of Triton that he had taken at the Battle of the Fountain to push the ship forward and to sea without even the need for the crew. To celebrate his victory and plentiful reward, Barbossa called out for his crew to set sail for Tortuga.

## List of Combatants

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

#### Crew of the HMS *Providence*

1. Privateer Hector Barbossa
2. Lieutenant Commander Theodore Groves
3. Lieutenant Gillette
4. 4 officers
5. 10 crewmen

#### Crew of the Spanish Fleet

1. The Spaniard
2. Spanish Officer
3. Spanish Soldier
4. About 100 men

#### Crew of the *Queen Anne's Revenge*

1. Captain Blackbeard
2. Angelica
3. Jack Sparrow
4. Quartermaster
5. Gunner
6. Scrum
7. Ezekiel
8. Garheng
9. Cabin Boy
10. Salaman
11. Yeoman
12. Master-at-Arms
13. 5 other pirates

## Appearances

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides