A/N: Okay, this is the part where everybody hates me...I'll live, though. Some of y'all will be happy to read this, and others...please don't hurt me. I've had this chapter written since before I started even writing this fanfic. However, I do have some incentive to keep you from completely hating me: I have another fanfic (unrelated to this series) in the works, and I should be posting the first chapter within the next couple of days. Hopefully everyone will come back to read that and not follow through on certain threats of "never reviewing another story that I write" :-) Oh, and this last chapter is from the perspective of Blackbird, in case some of y'all don't figure that out...So, without further ado...

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Ship's Log

July 7, 1736

The tales accounted here are but a small sampling of the many adventures I experienced while sailing under the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Were I to recount all of them, it would be years before I finished. However, I feel it my duty to you, the reader, to briefly account the past year and a half. Marie and Juan have been married for more than a year. Three months ago, Marie gave birth to their firstborn son, and Jack was able to hold his grandson and namesake. As to our own business, though, the future is looking grim. Piracy is becoming less and less common, and I daresay we will soon be extinct. However, know this: we will not go down without a fight. As long as Jack's memory fuels us, Captain Turner and the Black Pearl crew will press on!

-Captain Blackbird Turner

The Death of a Pirate

Another victory in battle. It was a close win, but we did it. I turn to smile cockily at Jack, only to see him double over in a fit of coughing. His hands are covered in blood that I know doesn't come from a wound. Will and I help him to his cabin, where he lies down on his bed. As Will goes to fetch a glass of water for Jack, I sit alone by his bed. Clasping my hand weakly, Jack mutters the words that will forever echo in my mind:

"Blackbird, I'm dying."

"No," I whisper, shaking my head. "This is just another little coughing spell. You'll get through it like all the others."

He looks up at me, and something in his eyes tells me I'm wrong. "Go to my desk…second drawer on the left."

I open it and pull out a dusty stack of papers. "The ship's articles…" I say quietly, then realization strikes me. "Jack…"

"Love, I need you to find where it names the captain…cross out 'Jack Sparrow'…and put 'Raven Turner'."

"Jack…" I plead again, biting my lip to keep it from trembling. "Don't make me do this…You'll be fine."

"I think I, of all people, would be the authority on that," he says wryly, struggling for breath between each word.

"B-but you're Captain Jack Sparrow!" I stammer. "You'll die in the heat of a battle, not from a little cough!"

This time, Jack doesn't argue; he just sighs and leans back against the pillows. "The Pearl needs a captain, Raven," he mutters, pressing his ring into my hand.. "One that can love her like I have…Promise me you'll take care of her." I nod, tears now freely streaming down my face. "Promise me."

"I promise," I whisper weakly.

Turning around, I see Will standing in the doorway. "I'll hold her to her word," he says, coming over and sitting down on the other side of Jack.

Jack grins as he sees Will. "Will…listen…" he mutters. "Watch after your sister for me, lad…Make sure she doesn't get herself killed." Will nods solemnly without speaking. He's doing better than me, but I can see the tears filling his eyes. "And Will…nice hat." There, with his hand in mine and a slight smile on his lips, the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow passes away.

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Jack's funeral is simple; just a few words said by close friends before his body is slipped into the waiting sea. It's just the way he would have wanted it.

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I stand by myself on deck, staring out at the open sea through a flood of unshed tears. I've never felt so alone…The man who was a second father to me is gone, my only memory the ship that he left me. Pulling Jack's ring out of my pocket, I clasp it in my fist. If I put it on, I'm accepting my duty as Captain. As I stand there with my eyes closed, I can feel Jack's presence in the ship. The creaking of the wood and the wind in the sails echo the same simple message: Press on…
I sense Will's comforting hand on my shoulder as he joins me at the helm. After several minutes of silence, he mutters, "The crew awaits your orders, Captain." Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and muster a weak smile. Hesitantly, I slip Jack's ring onto my finger and take my place behind the wheel. As I grip the smooth wood, I again feel Jack's life coursing through the ship. I will press on, I vow silently. I have to…for Jack. I will press on.

My eyes fixed on the endless horizon, I hum a familiar tune. "…And really bad eggs…" I mutter.

"Drink up, me hearties, yoho!"