One Piece Fanfiction : THE LEGEND OF JACK SPARROW - Chapter Three

Three days later, several hours after the sun had already set, Anna was scowling and pacing. Sometimes she would stop to glance angrily at the roaring sky and stamp her foot impatiently. It should have been so easy! A fool could have followed her instructions. The rain had not stopped since the night she met Jack. Clover’s tiny cabin where she waited for him was leaking more than her father’s tavern, which was saying something. She chose to sit outside, under the eaves, near where their boat was moored. Anna had lit three torches to guide them through the stormy night. The boat was tiny, little more than a luxury fishing boat. The name “REVENGE” was painted conspicuously on the stern. But it was seaworthy and the sails looked good. And more importantly, it really did look abandoned.

“Where is it?” Anna asked herself in growing frustration.

Then there was a loud crash in the brush at the entrance to the cove. Anna reached for the dagger she had hidden in her pocket.

“My lady.”

Jack emerged from the woods, not at all on the trail Anna had laid out. He bowed dramatically.

I’m here. Let’s set sail and let the adventure begin.

– Jack,” Anna breathed, trying not to show her relief. You’re hours late! What’s happened? I thought I gave you precise instructions…

– ‘Yes, well,’ he half-hid his mouth, scratching his nose, and looked away so that she couldn’t see his eyes. A number of obstacles, a bit of odds and ends, nothing major… But I’m here, aren’t I?

– You’ve been fighting,” Anna sighed, taking his hand and pulling it away from her face.

A slight, deep, straight cut ran from her cheekbone to her mouth.

– I found my bag! Jack deflected, waving it happily. And though you may not believe it’s possible, given that it was in such capable hands as mine, the map is… gone.

– You lost the map,” Anna grumbled. Then how the hell did you find me?

– There are many ways to reach the desired destination, young lady.

Anna shook her head grimly and kicked her muddy pile of bags against the barrel she had rolled over here. She spent most of her free time hiding what they needed away from the tavern. She looked at Jack, who repositioned his new bag on his shoulder.

– The fact is that I am here. The tide is coming in. We mustn’t waste any time. Shall we go, young lady? Jack inquired as he reached for the boat.

– ‘Call me “lass” again and you’ll drink the tide,’ Anna grumbled under her breath as they began to load the Revenge.

“Halt!”

A sudden voice rang out. Jack slumped and sighed.

Oh, now what?

– I’m coming with you,” the voice replied.

Jack looked up. At the start of the path, one foot resting dramatically on a rock, stood a handsome, well-dressed young man. He was about the same age as Jack and Anna, but the similarities ended there. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and he wore an immaculate jacket and a pair of breeches that were perfectly cut to his figure. All his buttons were polished, and an elegant sword hung from his belt. Jack greeted the other boy with a sneer.

– Sorry, lad,” he began, “this ship is ready to sail. The crew, that is to say the young, uh, beautiful one here and myself, are no longer accepting passengers. Go home to the pleasant estate from which you came and have a pleasant life.

– I am Fritzwindsor P. Ronan the Third,” said the young man, ignoring Jack and striding forward.

– I don’t care if you’re King Fritzronan P. Windsor the Seventh,” said Jack. I don’t know what you’re doing here, but we’re very busy sailors with very important things to do. So, if you don’t mind, we’ll just hoist the sails, set a course, et cetera, et cetera, all without you, and get underway.

Jack pressed his hands together and curtsied mockingly, then turned quickly on his heels and headed back to the Revenge.

– Very busy, important sailors?” said Fritzwindsor with ill-concealed contempt.

He pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket and unfolded it carefully.

The map,” Anna whispered, recognising it immediately, and glanced at Jack.

Fritzwindsor read aloud, haughtily: “Meet Anna there at nightfall, to commandeer a ship, find the Golden City, eliminate Captain Laos, acquire the perfect hat, become captain, rule all of Grand Line, live happily ever after.

“Damn it, Jack,” said Anna, clearly embarrassed.

– ‘I guess I’m not too late for the hat part,’ added Fritzwindsor, looking meaningfully at Jack’s messy hair.

– ‘Yes, yes, so what,’ said Jack impatiently. I have a life plan. And what have you got? Well, apart from a fancy silk suit that you seem to like to wear in the pouring rain while wading through the mud.

Jack turned to Anna and whispered, ‘The hobbies of these aristos are so crazy and strange… but strangely intriguing.

– ‘I’ve decided to come with you,’ Fritzwindsor announced grandly, and pulled out his own bag.

It was much nicer than either Anna’s or Jack’s, new leather and probably full of beautiful and expensive things. Jack opened his mouth to protest, but Anna silenced him.

– Why?” she asked, puzzled. she asked, puzzled. You’re obviously rich and… don’t have the need we have for treasure. A man in your position can do what he wants… You don’t need to go away from your family for adventure. At least not the way I do, you know…

She looked at Jack.

– Me being a ‘girl’ and all.

– On the contrary, my dear.

Fritzwindsor bowed.

– As the eldest son of the King of Ronan, I am bound by precisely the same kind of family rules as you. Perhaps even more so. We came from East Blue less than a month ago, when my father decided to expand his holdings into the New World. Since then, I’ve been forced to do nothing but attend the balls and cotillions of other noble families.

– Oh, that sounds awful,” muttered Jack.

– You have no idea,” said Fritzwindsor with some warmth. ‘Anyway, I’m expected to choose one of the noble ladies I meet and marry her within a year. I am forbidden to enter the naval service or to pursue any career other than the one my father has chosen for me. That is, to perpetuate the Ronan family. Which means chaperoned walks with stupid rich girls, dinners with my father’s friends who are three times my age, and acres and acres of land.

– Sounds awful,” Anna echoed Jack.

– ‘I prefer old sailors drunk on drink and adventure. So when I found this, it was a sign.

Fritzwindsor held up the map.

– My escape. My destiny. My adventure.

– Your nothing,” Jack added quickly. ‘The high seas is no place for a well-born child like you. Go away, Fritzy. Goodbye, Fritzy.

– Come on, Jack, he can be useful,” whispered Anna. He can buy provisions when we’re short. And it would be handy to have another pair of strong arms on board.

– You look strong enough for the job,” said Jack.

– Uh, thanks,” said Anna.

– You’re welcome.

– It doesn’t matter,” cut in Fritzwindsor. I’ll come along.

– No, you’re not. You’re not coming,” Jack replied.

The three of them stood there quietly for a while. The rain continued to fall all around them. The wind shook the rigging of the Revenge.

Fritzwindsor paused for a moment and then, after a while, said, “I challenge you to a duel. If I win, you let me come with you. If I lose, I go away and tell no one what I have seen here, nor any of your plans…

‘Oh, Fritzy, I wish I could,’ said Jack, not really sounding sorry. ‘But, as it happens, I haven’t yet acquired the sword I really want. No sword, no duel. No boarding the ship for you. I’m sorry.

– Oh, that’s not a problem,” Anna interjected, a mischievous look on her face. When I was cleaning the ship, I found half a dozen rapiers stowed in a chest.

She walked over to the Revenge and triumphantly pulled out a cheap, rusty old sword. She tossed it to Jack.

– Here you are.

– Thank you, ma’am,” Jack said through gritted teeth.

He grabbed the sword easily and tested its weight. It wasn’t very well made. Fritzwindsor drew his own weapon, a beautifully balanced rapier, which flew through the air in a salute to his opponent.

“Show-off,” muttered Jack.

They leapt forward. Their blades met with a loud clang. Sparks scattered across the dark beach. Fritzwindsor moved energetically backwards and forwards, darting and diving and posturing. Jack, on the other hand, barely moved, using quick wrist strikes to parry his opponent’s attacks. When he did move, it was with precise, quick and controlled footwork.

“Looks like he’s not just a thief after all…” thought Anna, rather surprised by Jack’s performance.

Fritzwindsor should obviously have had the advantage of having been trained for years, probably by a great master of arms. The nobleman was also taller than Jack by a head, and muscular whereas Jack was thin… Jack dominated, however, the duel. Fritzwindsor had no shortage of little tricks, like jumping over rocks and driftwood to avoid the point of Jack’s sword. But all his combined skills of the future king of Ronan were no match for the sailor Jack. Grimacing with concentration, Fritzwindsor redoubled his attack. He threw himself forward with all his strength. Jack easily avoided by shifting to the right. The nobleman passed through him, and as he tried to turn, Jack was already, rapier in hand, in front of him, his blade at his throat.

It looks like I’m winning, hey, hey, hey,” sneered Jack triumphantly.

For a moment Fritzwindsor looked as if he would refuse, but finally sighed and dropped his blade.

– All right, then. I’ve lost.

Fritzwindsor sheathed his rapier with a snik and was about to walk away, but Jack’s blade was still stuck to his neck.

– What’s the matter? You don’t have to worry, I won’t tell your business.

– It’s up to the winner to decide the loser’s fate,” Jack said seriously.

Anna was about to intervene when Fritzwindsor beat her to it.

– And what is the winner’s fate for me, the loser? Fritzwindsor asked with a look of fear in his eyes.

The two men looked at each other for a moment, much to Anna’s puzzlement. Finally, Jack lowered his rapier.

– You’ll come with us,” he finally said with a smile.

He returned the rapier to Anna, who caught it with some difficulty.

Hey, I almost got hurt! she shouted.

– But you didn’t,” Jack taunted as he joined her on board.

Turning, he looked at Fritzwindsor, who had remained in his seat throughout.

– Hey, what are you waiting for? Don’t you want to run away from your obligations anymore?

Finally emerging from his clouds, Fritzwindsor joined the other two on the Revenge.

“We are now a team,” Anna said to the nobleman, holding out her hand.

Fritzwindsor looked uncertain and hesitantly took her hand.

Is this the first time you’ve shaken hands with a woman, Fritzy? Jack asked mockingly.

Ignoring the sailor, Fritzwindsor whispered to Anna, “He’s pretty dull, isn’t he?” She didn’t entirely disagree. He may have been ‘strong’ and capable, but Jack was also the stuff of first-class lunatics.

Paying no attention to Fritzwindsor’s remark, Jack put his hands on the two new companions, smiling with sudden enthusiasm.

To adventure!” he toasted.

– To adventure,” Anna repeated with a smile.

– Yes, to adventure,” said Fritzwindsor, slowly and seriously.

– And of course,” Jack added with a smile, “to treasure and freedom!

To Be Continued…