Disclaimer: Don't own so there!

Chapter 9

Will woke coughing and spluttering and wondering if he were dead. He sat up and looked round him frowning in puzzlement.

He remembered the Pearl being sucked down into the centre of the whirlpool and then what? He must have passed out but why was he still alive?

He was warm so he wasn't a ghost or anything and he could see Jack laying beside him breathing deeply as if in the most restful sleep in the world. Then he looked up and gasped.

Above him he could see water and in the water he could see points of the bottom of each whirlpool pointing downwards.

"What in the world?"

"Will?" Jack said groggily stirring from his sleep. Will didn't move so after checking himself over briefly for injury as he too remembered all that had happened, he followed Will's gaze and for once in his life, Captain Jack Sparrow was at a loss for words.

Slowly the crew woke one by one and followed the captain's gaze to the strange sight above them all.

Gasps and shocked faces could be heard and seen all over the ship as the crew realised what had happened.

Somehow, by some miracle or magic they couldn't decide which, they had come out of the bottom of the whirlpool still alive and with their ship intact.

"Jack What's going on?" Will asked finally tearing his gaze away from the bizarre sight and looking at Jack who struggled to answer.

"I…Um…I don't know."

Will had to smile at Jack's obvious amazement at the fact they were alive and well and in some weird place under the sea but still on the sea as he could feel the ship rocking gently from side to side in the swell.

Will stood and grabbed Jack's spyglass his own having been lost in the storm and made his way to the side of the ship to take a look around.

He did not need it however as he looked out he saw they were floating near to an island – an island shaped like a dragon.

"Jack! Come and look, I think we found it!" He called excitedly as not only Jack but the whole crew rushed to the side of the ship to see what Will saw

"Well I'll be." Gibbs said in awe at the sight.

"The Isla de Shatsal." Jack said. So that's why no one could find it or ever came back."

"Jack if no one ever came back how are we supposed to?"

"That is a very good point Will lad, I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Right now I want to see that treasure for meself, ready to go ashore boys?"

"AYE!" Every pirate shouted and there was a rush for the longboats.

Jack sat at the head of one and Will at the head of another. In the end four longboats went taking most of the crew apart from the ships cook and the lower ranked pirates who said they'd stay behind after being promised their fair share of treasure. They didn't mind as they knew Jack and Will were fair even for pirates and they would get a good share.

They rowed towards the island and headed for an inlet where the island dragon's 'mouth' was. They sailed into extensive caves and moored their boats making sure they were secure grabbing several torches to light their way.

Jack and Will led the way as they went deeper and deeper into the 'belly of the beast' as it were.

"Jack are you sure this is safe?" Will asked slightly nervously. He was sure he had just heard a sigh as if this island was alive and breathing.

"Sure it is mate, just stay close."

The path narrowed to single file and Jack carried on leading the way with Will following close behind.

They seemed to have been walking forever when they could see a faint golden light up ahead. Jack smirked knowing exactly what it was, the glow of gold and precious things.

He stepped up his pace almost breaking into a jog as they grew close. The patch ended and they found themselves standing in a huge cavern which was filled with more treasure than any of them had ever seen in their entire lives.

"Well this puts the Isla de Muerta to shame eh mate?" Jack said turning to Will who was clearly overcome by the sight of so much treasure. Then something else caught his eye. In the ceiling of the cavern there was a red glowing area. Will watched it for a moment or two before jumping in shock. With a look of pure fear on his face he pointed upwards unable to speak. Jack followed his finger and managed to look not quite as shocked as Will though his eyes betrayed him by opening wide.

The huge red glowing area was beating like a heart. They could hear it now beating rhythmically and slowly like a huge heart.

"Jack, I don't think this is just an island." Will said very quietly. "I think it's alive."

"I think you're right mate." Jack said equally as quietly. "Listen men we need to be very, very careful and quiet if we are going to take some of this treasure back." He instructed still being quiet.

Slowly and as quietly as they could, the crew began to take some of the treasure.

"Jack are you sure this is a good idea?" Will whispered as they gathered loot.

"Course it is mate, what's an island dragon going to do with all this treasure anyway? Besides I promised you a new ship remember?"

"Aye but I don't want to die trying to get it." Will hissed.

"It'll be fine mate just help yourself."

Will nodded knowing Jack would not be persuaded from his mission. He started to scoop coins and precious gems into his sack and was beginning to relax when a voice boomed round the cave suddenly scaring everyone and making most of them drop what they had gathered.

"WHO DISTURBS ME?"

Jack stood as boldly as he could.

"It is I Captain Jack Sparrow."

"AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"

"Well we are in need of some resources and here is exactly what we need."

"So you thought you'd just take it from me without asking first?" The voice asked still booming but not quite as loud.

"Well ta be honest mate, we didn't know this island was alive so we didn't know we had to ask. No we do know so may we take some?"

"No."

"Why not? What are you going to do with it all?"

"I am a dragon, I collect treasure. If you want some, you will have to leave me something in exchange."

Jack looked at Will his brow furrowed. Will wondered what they could possibly have that the dragon might want.

"What payment are you looking for mate?" Jack asked.

"I haven't eaten in a long time, not since the last lot made it here and I devoured them all." The dragon said ominously. Will swallowed a nervous lump that had appeared in his throat and wouldn't go away.

"Leave me the young one and you can take what you like and get out. If not then you can all die here. You have ten minutes to decide."

Jack's shock was obvious. Condemn Will or condemn them all? What should he do? He loved Will as much as he loved piracy but could he live without Will by his side? He managed it before didn't he? But that was before he had met Will and things were so different now. Besides he had promised Will a new ship and he didn't think Will's crew would be very pleased if he decided to sacrifice Will for treasure. On the other hand they were all pirates and loved treasure. If he condemned them all that would be the end of it for them all and the Pearl his beautiful ship, would remain here forever just floating with no one to captain her.

Jack paced around while he decided what to do. The crew almost held their breaths and Will more than most as it was his life on the line as he knew how much Jack loved treasure.

"Let him take me Jack, then you can return to Tortuga triumphant and go on with your life and enjoy it. I lost my ship, I can't be that good a captain right?"

"Now you listen to me mate." Jack said turning to Will and holding his face in his hands. "You are a great captain if ever I saw one, everyone loses a ship from time to time, it's part and parcel of life on sea so don't you dare let me hear you talk like that!"

Will looked into Jack's eyes for a moment before decided that he must be telling the truth and slowly nodding.

"Okay I have made my decision." He called out.

"What will it be Captain Jack Sparrow? The young one, or everyone?"

Jack paused before answering seeing the fearful look in every member of his crew's eyes.

Was this another test? Like the fog and the whirlpools? Well it was time to find out.

"Everyone." He called out. There were gasps from the crew they thought that Jack might have had a plan to escape but apparently he didn't.

"Why have you decided to sacrifice everyone including yourself?" The dragon asked.

"If you had asked me six months ago I probably would have sacrificed a single member to get me hands on the treasure but I can't do it now. I might be a pirate but none of it would mean a think if I didn't have Will to share it with me."

The dragon was silent for a few minutes as if pondering his answer.

"Well done captain Jack Sparrow." It finally said. "That was my final and most important test. You have proved to me that there is something more important to you than piracy or treasure. You may take what you want and leave here in safety. Know that you are the first to arrive here that has made the correct choice."

Everyone breathed a visible sigh of relief and the pirates filled up their sacks with a will. There were extra sacks filled for the remaining crew on board and as there was plenty for all, all sacks were filled to the brim with treasure.

In amongst the treasure, Jack found a single rose made of cut diamonds and emeralds. It was a truly beautiful thing and Jack stashed it inside his clothes. He had an idea of what to do with that later.

"Go in peace." The dragon said as they made their way back to the longboats with their heavy sacks. Jack turned and bowed to the dragon.

"Thanks mate." He said.

"You are welcome. O not however tell anyone of the way here or how to gain the treasure I hold."

"You have my word." Jack promised and left the cavern to join the others in the longboats.

Back aboard the Pearl The spoils were handed out and Jack and Will retired to Jack's cabin.

Will stood staring out the window thinking. Had Jack known what would happen? They could all be dragon food by now and yet here they were with enough treasure to last for a good long time.

"Will is everything okay?"

"Did you know what would happen Jack?"

"I wasn't entirely sure, I thought it might be another test but ta be honest with you mate I wasn't entirely sure. One thing is for sure, I knew I couldn't sacrifice you and go on normally."

"Well whatever you knew or didn't know Jack, I'm really glad it worked."

"Me too mate believe me." Jack said moving in for a kiss.

The treasure lay forgotten along with their clothes as they spent the rest of the day making love and talking about what they were going to do with their treasure. Jack was still determined to buy Will a new ship, maybe even commission one for him. Will didn't like that idea though. He wanted a ship that was already used to sailing and wouldn't need any 'breaking in'. Jack agreed that it would be better and so it was settled, they would make port and buy a new ship for Will.

"So how do we get out of here?" Will asked and Jack frowned.

"I don't rightly know mate but I guess we can find out in the morning."

"Hmm sleep sounds good." Will said and snuggled up to Jack on the huge bed.

"Agreed." Jack said and the two of them were asleep in seconds.

What they didn't know was that the dragon had cast a spell on the ship in order to make the crew sleep and not know how they got out of the area.

The following morning Jack and Will woke and emerged from their cabin to find the ship floating on the normal sea with the whirlpools behind them in the distance.

"How did we…?" Will asked.

"No idea mate but I'm sure that dragon had a lot to do with it."

Looking out towards the whirlpools as they sailed away, Will was sure he could see the shape of a dragon in the cloud formation in the sky. As he watched it he was sure he saw it nodding and he smiled deciding to keep that to himself. He nodded back and turned to take his place beside Jack as they set sail for Tortuga and plenty of rest.

Well peeps I think that there will only be one more chapter unless of course I think up a new idea for Jack and Will so wait and see!