Nora Raven in At World's End

Hoist the Colors!

I stood on the deck and sighed, looking at the ships.  Me being worried about Jack was apparent.  I still had this deep gut feeling that something was wrong with me.  My wounds were starting to heal slower than normal.

The winds started to pick up again, causing the sails to shudder. I watched as one of the pirate's hats was taken by the wind, as it spiraled up and around the mast. Elizabeth watched it and grew a serious look on her face."It's not over.." she sighed.

I look at her and smile, as Will speaks up. "Hope is not lost. There's still a
fight to be had."

Gibbs looked at the ships. "There's an armada arrayed against us. We've got no chance of winnin'."

Elizabeth was still watching the wind and look like she lost hope. "Only a fool's chance..."

Barbossa stood next to her and Revenge won't bring your father back, Miss Swan. and it's not something I'm intending to die for.

Elizabeth realized by this time nothing can bring him back. I feel tears run down my face thinking of my dear uncle being killed by Beckett.

I wipe my face with my hands and punch the mast. The pirates looked at me concerned, as I laughed. I don't know if it was because I was at my breaking point or my depression getting to me. Then Frida jumped on my shoulder and handed me my journal, as she chattered.

I smile and pet her, remembering the promise I made to myself. My wounds started healing and stood on railing of the ship, holding a rope.

I looked at Elizabeth and then at everyone, as I shouted to be heard. "Everyone! Listen to me! I know the odds seem stacked against us."

I looked at my journal and put it in my jacket pocket, as I continued my speech. "We are strong and yes we have all lost people dear to us, but-" I looked down at Elizabeth and Will. "This does not define what they left us with! We have their memories and their lessons! What are we people. We are pirates and we fight for one another!"

"You're right" Elizabeth stepped up next to me, and grabbed my hand addressing the crew.  "Listen to me! The Brethren will still be looking here, to us, to the Black Pearl, to lead. What will they see? Frightened bilge rats aboard a derelict ship? No. They will see free men. And freedom! And what the enemy will see is the flash of our cannons. They will hear the ring of
our swords. And they will know what
we can do."

I smiled as she looked at Barbossa.
"By the sweat of our brows and the
strength of our backs and the courage of our hearts."  She casted her gaze around the deck, meeting the eyes of several crewmen and ended it Will.
"Hoist the colours."

Will, Pintel, and Gibbs nods, repeated it "Hoist the colours"

It was picked up by the crew, as they moved with a purpose to their stations, past and around Barbossa.

Gibbs smiled and yelled to the crew. "We've got the wind on our side, boys,
and that's all we need!"

Elizabeth was still on the rail and turned to where the Empress was, shouted across to Tai Huang. "Hoist the colours!"

All the pirate ships with different styles, black 631 on white, red on black. Most with the skull and crossbones, or
swords were flying high on the mast.. The ships moved forward and I drew my sword.

Will yelled. "Target the Flying Dutchman. We're the only ship that can catch her."

The clouds above us begin to rotate, forming a storm disk in the sky, lightening strikes down at sea. A whirlpool began to form and turn slowly, as sheets of rain begin to fall.

I smiled as the Black Pearl and the Dutchman began going ahead of the other ships.

Barbossa went to the help and kept us on course, as the Black Pearl and he Flying Dutchman are caught in the whirlpool.