The salty sea breeze ruffled the Doctor's hair as he stood silently on the deck of his ship, anchored far from the coast. Through a finely tuned handheld telescope, his eyes remained fixed on the Black Pearl. His expression was serious, analytical, trying to understand the situation before making his next move.
"So… they already performed the ritual," he murmured, seeing Barbosa and his men still cursed, visibly frustrated and angry.
Adjusting the focus slightly, he noticed the girls being held, including Elizabeth, now separated from the group and under different watch. Something wasn't right.
"We'll have to adjust the plan," he said firmly, closing the telescope.
Without wasting time, he disembarked from the ship with part of his team, hidden among the coastal vegetation of the Isla de la Muerte. It wasn't the time to intervene… but that would change very soon.
Meanwhile, aboard the Black Pearl, chaos reigned. The recent battle with the group of heroes had left several undead pirates shattered. The burning figures, the dragon armor, and the fiery sword of the fighters were like something out of an impossible story for the pirates. Even Barbosa, hardened by years of plunder and curse, couldn't help but clench his jaw at such a display of power.
But just as the combat was about to escalate, new figures appeared on the horizon. Not one, but two ships rapidly approached with flags flying: the HMS Dauntless, flagship of the British Royal Navy, led by James Norrington, and beside it, an escort vessel carrying none other than Weatherby Swann, governor of Port Royal and Elizabeth's father.
"Cease fire!" Norrington roared as his ship positioned itself parallel to the Black Pearl.
The fighting stopped immediately. Pirates and heroes alike looked up, stunned by the sudden arrival.
"Elizabeth!" Governor Swann cried upon seeing his daughter alive and, though captive, unharmed. His eyes filled with relief.
The silence was broken by the creaking of ropes and the groaning of wood as the ships aligned.
"By order of His Majesty… Barbosa, your crimes as a pirate are over. You will face the gallows," Norrington declared sternly, then turned to the others with a look of disdain. "And you… sorcerers and witches… will be judged for heresy and witchcraft."
The group was shocked. The heroes, who until now believed their actions were righteous, looked at each other in disbelief.
"You call us criminals? We saved that young woman!" exclaimed Shiryu, still clad in his glowing armor.
"We only protect the innocent!" added the girl with the flaming sword, indignant.
But Norrington was resolute.
"Magic is forbidden. No one is above the law."
The pirates reacted quickly, exchanging glances. This was the perfect opportunity to flee now that attention was divided. Barbosa, though furious at the ritual's failure, kept his composure.
"Prepare to set sail!" he ordered.
"What about the girl?" one of his men asked.
"We still need her. We're not done yet," the captain replied, pointing at Elizabeth.
On the other side, the heroes had reached the same conclusion. They weren't going to be captured by a justice system that didn't understand what they'd been through.
"We must go," Will said firmly. "We have to reach the island before they do!"
Within seconds, a desperate race began. Three different forces, each with their own motives, launched into the sea toward the Isla de la Muerte: the pirates hoping to break their curse, the heroes determined to rescue their companions, and the navy… intent on capturing them all.
From the beach, the Doctor saw everything. Beside him, his companions remained alert, awaiting his signal.
"We didn't expect the navy to arrive this soon… but this gives us an advantage."
He looked toward the horizon, where the ships rapidly approached. His face was calm, but determination burned in his gaze.
"We must act with precision. There's no room for error now."
And with those words, he stepped into the island's interior, firmly resolved to bring an end to this nightmare.