"Capt'n we need to get you free." Said a man trying to staunch the blood flow.

"To late for that Joshamee," he whispered coughing blood. "Both I and the Pearl are done for, we need to blow this Spaniard out of the water before it levels Port Royal, the Dauntless is still half an hour behind us so we are all there is.  We will have only one chance, rake her stem to stern as we go by; the Pearl has lost most of her rudder so we will then be heading for deep water until we sink.  I suggest you and the surviving crew leave before we hit open water or you will join the pearl and myself in our grave."

"Not all, the new Interceptor, is but a bare ten minutes behind or have you forgotten that was why we are here in the first place young Groves wanted to test his new command against the Black Pearl."  Said Gibbs.

"Aye, my Pearl proved she is still fastest, even with the ten years of neglect Barbossa cause her, I hadn't forgot about Groves and his ship but we both know she hasn't the guns to take out this Spaniard.  If we rake it with all our canon as we go by the Interceptor can finish her off perhaps even take her as prize." Whispered Jack coughing more blood.

"Jack!" objected Gibbs, "At least let us remove the mast."

"It will just kill me faster, move you swabs." He commanded. "Get those cannon loaded before it's too late."

Gibbs closed his eyes then opened them and started shouting orders, "You heard the Capt'n, man the cannon be have a Spaniard to rake as we go by, we have to soften her up for young Groves and the Interceptor."

***

Xander watched the battle actually approving of the tactic, as they passed the stern of the big Spanish ship, the impaled pirate passed out, the man called Gibbs was immediately at his side supporting his weight so the mast didn't do more damage.

"Help me get this damn mast out of him." He snapped.

"It could kill him." stated a woman.

"He's already dead girl, he's beyond mortal help it's just a matter of time.  Hows the ship?"

"We have taken so many holes it's amazing we still float, the brig is already flooded and the water is starting on the next level, she's done for." Said the woman.

"Well then we do as he asked head her for deep water and let the Pearl be his grave, get the powder magazine ready we'll blow her before we abandon ship." Said Gibbs resolutely.

"He isn't dead yet Joshamee and at the rate we are sinking we might not make it to deep water." Objected AnaMaria.

"Plug as many holes as you can and see if we can head north, Jack said the rudder is damaged.  I heard in Tortuga about a trench opening during that earthquake six months ago that triggered the Volcano and sank Isla de Murata, it has high reefs on one side so is a navigation hazard.  Jack marked it on the maps that should be deep enough if it hasn't closed again there has been some tremors since then." Said the man called Gibbs.

When they freed the pirate Xander wasn't sure what to do, his War instincts were telling him to stay on deck but instinct told him he had to stay with the pirate.  So he followed them into the Captains quarters and watched them tend to the man even though he was beyond their help.

~ At least with the man Gibbs in attendance on the dying man he was getting updates on what was happening. ~ Thought Xander as one of the motley crew reported that The Interceptor had past them and they had warned Groves about the Spanish ships in Port Royal. Fairly bored with the entire situation, Xander settled down to wait it out.

The next update said The Dauntless was following them and the Commodore wasn't happy, he had wanted them to stop but the crew had been afraid to lose the momentum with the way the ship was filling up.

Xander was practically dozing from boredom by the time the ship seemed to stop that was when he felt it and quickly strengthened every shield he had.  One of the players had turned their attention to the ship and it's dying occupant.  The malevolent satisfaction that he felt radiating from the force as it surveyed the dying pirate, raised Xander's curiosity.  ~ Spoiled some plans had he, ~ grinned Xander starting to like this pirate, ~ anyone who could piss of the 'Dark side of the Force' as Xander had taken to thinking of them as was worth a second look.  Not that the 'Light side of the Force' in this little game was any better in Xander's opinion they were just more subtle about their massacres of innocents, ~ thought Xander as the Dark sides attention drew the Light side as usual.  Xander actually had to stop himself from chuckling aloud and giving himself away when the Light side radiated just as much satisfaction at the pirate's impending death as the Dark side.  ~ This was wonderful some how the man has pissed off both sides, ~ Xander had thought he was the leading expert on how to do that and this pirate had done it without even trying way back here at the beginning of the eighteenth century.  ~ Maybe the Mom's have chosen right after all. ~ Thought Xander relieved.

When the tall man in a high ranking British Navy uniform, pushed past the crew and made straight for the bed.  Xander almost chuckled again as the annoyed feeling came from the Light side, ~ Seduced someone they had plans for did he, taking the potential piece out of the game considering the morals of this century. ~  Xander had nothing against Male lovers, Ares memories had told him just how valid and rewarding such a relationship could be, it had let him actually consider and accept Larry's tentative attempts at flirting.  Larry had even understood the reasons for not being out in the open, the very real possibility of getting bashed by his drunken gay-bashing father high on the list.

Xander closed his eyes in memory the loss still to fresh he had actually fallen for the big Football Captain who had turned out to be a very considerate lover and boyfriend.  He grinned fondly remembering Larry and Anya those two had developed the most surprising friendship he would never have imagined they would get along so well.  Those two had actually discussed who was to blame for Anya getting mortal, that conversation had fascinated the part of Xander's personality and Godhood that was Justice-Vengeance.  Finding out the demon rules for vengeance had been very interesting as it all came down to a case of multiple errors causing Anya's fall. The first fowl as far as he could figure from their discussion was Anya's for not checking if it was a valid vengeance.  Larry had chuckled when he found out that by Demon rules Cordy wasn't eligible for Anya simply because as he and Cordy had never done the deed just snogged in closets, she had no claim on him, Xander's virginity at the time just made it worse when it backfired.  Larry had actually asked why she hadn't checked.  Anya admitted that she had checked Cordy and as the cheerleader wasn't a virgin she had just assumed, which was her second mistake.  Her final mistake was being greedy and granting the wish about Buffy instead of holding out for a Xander centric wish.  Which when Anya thought about it wouldn't have been much of a punishment as Xander was perfectly happy with a boyfriend anyway which had caused both Xander and Larry to laugh. It was Larry who decided Anya should ask Xander to the Prom.

He really missed Larry, the biggest surprise and only thing making his sacrifice remotely bearable was the fact Larry's family worshipped the old gods, Xander sometimes thought Larry had guessed what he was but he never said it aloud.  Larry had chosen his own position at graduation and he had gazed into Xander' eyes when he did accepting his fate so others could survive.  At least as a worshipper of the old gods neither side could claim him and he was now in the Fields.  Xander already was planning his own public but subtle conversion to pagan worship just to piss them off.

~ Well what do you know the pirate has been waiting for his Commodore.  Romantics the two of them he'd bet how those two got together was an interesting story, well at least they got a goodbye before the pirate finally stopped breathing.  If Aphrodite was still alive she'd be here blubbering and cooing at the pair even as she jiggled in delight at a true love couple, even as she cried at the parting.  Now if only those annoying Peeping Toms would vamoose so he could get to work.  Technically he had plenty of time as the soul was merged with the waiting matrix the moment he died all Xander had to do was create a new body. ~

He almost wanted to scream when he realised that both sides of the force were hanging around full of voyeuristic delight, intent of savouring the pirates demise to the last drop.  Damn he must have pissed them off something awful if they were hanging around this long after his death you'd think they were worried he'd rise from the grave or something.  ~ Oh joy the pirate lasted so long the powder magazine is soaked so they can't blow the ship. Not that they needed to in Xander's opinion his sneakers were already wet so everything below must be flooded.  It was amazing that the ship was still floating considering most of it was under water who ever designed this ship knew what he had been doing. ~ Thought Xander in appreciation.

Resigning himself to a long wait Xander sank down still invisible in a corner well out of the way of any mortals in the cabin, keeping his shields firmly in place.  The water didn't bother him he knew he was going to be a lot wetter before this ended considering how much the bloody Peeping Tom's were enjoying this, he'd probably be going down with the ship.  Xander shrugged it wasn't as if it would kill him.  Being made of energy no God or Goddess really needed to breathe, breathing was in fact a matter of choice it was just more convenient for a God to breathe in terrestrial environments be it with lungs in the air or gills in the water as it conserved energy.  In this case with the peepers watching he'd play Vamp and forget it altogether.

Xander yawned wondering why he was getting so exhausted it wasn't as if he was doing anything strenuous shielding and invisibility were basic god talents even a baby god of this universe could do them for days without being overtaxed.

Gibbs was collecting papers while the Commodore and the woman dressed the pirate in a clean shirt throwing the bloody rag it was replacing towards where Xander was out of the way before covering the new shirt with a coat that had been gracing the back of a chair.  Xander actually smirked as the torn and bloody shirt landed next to him, talk about convenience they had just given him what he needed without having to disturb the body something he had been worried about with the peepers so interested in it.  A tiny trickle of power so small the alien peeps wouldn't even recognise it as power made the blood pool in a bubble of air under the shirt out of sight instead of leaching out into the seawater as it soaked the bloody shirt.  Before the bed linen covered the body, Gibbs brought over a compass and attached it to the dead pirate's belt along with a pistol and sword a leather hat was put on his chest and the hands were positioned to hold it there.  Then came the sheets and blankets covering the body like a shroud from head to toes tucked in on all four sides, the final touch were the cannon brought in and placed on either side of the body anchoring the bedding and body in place.  ~ Practical ~ thought Xander the body wouldn't end up floating around the cabin once it was at the bottom of the sea.

As the people trooped out and the Commodore said his last goodbye, Xander stayed put even when he heard the door being barricaded shut.  The water was already calf high and any movement would cause splashes, which would give him away to the peepers who were still at their annoying voyeurism.

Xander's eyebrow went up when not long afterwards the ship he was on rocked under the impact of continuous cannon fire.  A truly appreciative grin that was more than a little Ares briefly graced Xander's features when he realised the Commodore was sinking his pirate lover's ship coffin with quick efficiency.  The Commodore obviously had to get back to Port Royal his duty demanded it.  The Dauntless probably wouldn't be needed for more than help in cleaning up in the aftermath of the battle, to give the dead pirate captain and future God his due credit; the pirate ship had completely decimated the Spanish ships attacking the British Port.  From the glimpse Xander had had gotten as they raked that last ship on that final run the young War God knew the battle was over back there.  The pirate ship simply hadn't left anything the smaller ship called the Interceptor couldn't handle.

It was a nice little balance of emotion and duty the War God could appreciate, he had no doubt that if the Port had still been in danger the Dauntless would not be here dying lover or not.

The ship was definitely sinking faster, it wasn't long before the entire room was flooded and Xander sensed the ship was entirely under water and sinking into the depths.  Xander's could sense the Dauntless getting under sail above obviously the Commodore was heading back to the Port now that the funeral was over, the man was obviously an excellent commander who knew his duty well.  Ares had seen some of his best general's act in such a manner, stoically sending their Shieldmate home on their Shield then just as stoically continue with the battle or cleanup, the emotional devastation put off until Duty was complete.

The ship touched bottom and sank into the sandy silt of the trench, and still those annoying voyeuristic bastards of both sides continued to watch, what in Hades were they up to.  ~ Come on the man is dead and buried how much trouble could he be to them now, it wasn't as if they had some inkling of his impending resurrection as a God. ~ Thought Xander.

The rumble of an earthquake startled Xander especially as he sensed both sides were causing it, fifteen minutes later the ship was completely buried under tons of silt and rock as the trench caved in.  And just like that when the mud, rock and silt settled the voyeurs with a final sweep of the dead pirate's body as if making sure he was staying that way left both sides radiating satisfaction.

~ Man that Pirate must have annoyed the hell out of them when he was alive ~ chuckled Xander  ~ if they were actually co-operating in making sure he stayed dead and off the game board.  Considering the extent of the burial they had just performed they were certainly making sure he stayed out of both their hair, even if he rose as a Vampire or one of the many other immortal creatures at large in the world he'd still be trapped under water and buried under tons of rock so would eventually expire or at least be forever contained.  Which made the irony of what Xander came to do even sweeter, if this man could upset them so much as a mortal what would happen when he was a God? ~

~ Right time to get to work ~ he thought, giving the area a godly alarm in case the Peepers decided to came back while he was concentrating.

He ignored the body disturbing it would alert them if they checked in the future, he didn't need it anyway.  The blood he had collected from the shirt would give him the DNA map he needed to create a new body.  Not that it would be anything but superficially like his old one, Gods were energy not matter and DNA hardly translated into the building blocks that Xander was about to create from the universe.

First he called ambrosia, a good solid chuck of it about ten pounds to use as building blocks; next he reduced the blood into a basic genetic map of the mortals original DNA.  The next stage was the duplication recreation of the matter based DNA into an energy pattern he could use.  It was a painstaking and exacting job and by the time he finished no human scientist would believe one came from the other.  Finally when the Godly DNA for want of another term for it was complete Xander wrote it into the ambrosia being very careful not to get any of the mortal blood into the mass of solid energy that was called ambrosia, the neophyte energy form was much too delicate to tolerate matter at this early stage, a trace of matter would cause the form to abort before it fully formed.  The ambrosia quickly transformed glowing and formed a tougher energy membrane, inside the membrane the first god cell formed quickly began to divide converting the solid energy cells around it the process very similar to the creation of a foetus on a superficial level.  Next he called the God matrix which had already been merged with the soul on the moment of death, sinking it into the embryonic energy form.

Xander relaxed now all he had to do was wait for it to complete itself giving it more ambrosia as required.

The process was unbelievably fast because they were not creating a new god merely creating a new body, which was a good thing because Xander didn't think he had the patience to sit here for nine months building a baby god from scratch.  To think his Mom's had done something similar for two thousand years to create him.

An hour later the outer cocoon had reached the size to hold a grown man, Xander could see a vaguely humanoid shape curled up like a foetus inside the energy membrane and the last lot of ambrosia had been rejected by the cocoon.

Which was why Xander was now munching on small balls of the ambrosia he'd shaped to resemble jelly beans while he watched the energy inside the form in the membrane cocoon whirl and pulse as it completed its form.  It was actually incredibly beautiful, a riot of rainbow colour that pulsed and changed but without the glaring brightness of primary colours.  Xander cocked his head trying to think what it looked like; it wasn't really pastel shades it was too vibrant for that.   Then it hit him all the colours and pulses resembled splashes of those metallic paints that were all the rage in cars and marking pens, Xander looked at the ambrosia in his hand in delight, noticing it also had that metallic opalescent sheen to the rose-lavender energy jelly.

Xander was about to make some more ambrosia jelly beans when the membrane cocoon turned into crystal like shards and dissolved back into the universe, Xander was on his feet and catching the newly formed naked god with his power before he hit the deck.

Grabbing the young God on either side of his head he forced him to meet his eyes, the wide confusion in those big brown eyes had to be handled and Xander knew only one way to do it.  Locking their eyes together he pushed the new god knowledge.  By the time he released the young god he knew how and why he had been merged with the Sea-Air godly matrix, all about the two sides of the Force and their deadly little game, plus the three Mom's little bombshell on why they had eliminated the gods of this universe and the inevitable result if that wasn't corrected.  Then he added everything else the War god had discovered about both sides as well as a general idea of what the next three centuries had in store for the Earth and the human race as well as a general overview of who and what Xander himself was including the fact that Xander himself wouldn't be born for almost three centuries.

When he finally released him the young god staggered, and blinked saying "Now that's interesting, very interesting." His eyes moved around the cabin coming to rest on the blanket and cannon weighted corpse.  "And that is beyond disturbing, worse than seeing my skeleton while under the curse." He shuddered.

"Gods aren't made of matter," shrugged Xander "the universal tapestry of life demanded your mortal husk rot and return to the fabric of the universe.  That's why I had to be made so I could create you and the other chosen gods new energy bodies."

"Aye, I savvy that right enough, it just gives me a shiver to know under that blanket is the body that was myself for forty years." He said averting his eyes from the blanket-covered form.  Catching sight of himself in a mirror he curiosity got the better of the pirate turned god.

"I'm younger than the bloody Whelp!" he objected. "Being this young is a right pain in the arse I had to wait for me beard to grow in to get the swabs to take me seriously."

Xander shrugged, "I just formed the blueprint for the body, your matrix decided all the rest of it."

The young god suddenly realised he was naked and formed clothes.  "Hey no fair I wanted copies of my old clothes." He objected taking in the long black coat that reached down to mid-calf and shimmered like the black pearls his beloved ship had been named for.  The high mandarin collar, and shirt and trousers of the same material, completed by a quilted leather vest with sea motif edging he even had a black silk scarf as a carat much to his disgusted shock.  His long tresses were held back off his face with a golden circlet surrounded by delicate gold shells helped to stay in place by strategically placed braids, tied off with black pearls, his boots, sword sheaf and baldric and belt all looked the same only having a sea motif etched into the leather they were black to match the outfit.  Much to the ex-pirate dismay he looked very young and pretty with his big brown eyes, clean shaven face all framed by the long dark hair, the only good thing was that he now had perfect teeth.

Xander laughed, "I think that's going to be your default look, we all have one." He admitted transforming into his own default clothes that were remarkably similar except his had a War motif and his circlet was plain decorated only by engraving.  "You will basically revert to this if you are tied or not concentrating enough." Said Xander.

The pirate god turned back to the mirror viewing it with the knowledge he'd have to live with it for the time being, "It's not a bad look, although Black isn't a colour I usually wear."

Before Xander could comment the warning alarm sounded.  "Get over here quick, they are coming back." snapped Xander.

The young god obeyed instantly and Xander held him close, "Shield and invisibility." Xander ordered.  The young god shakily obeyed still not use to his powers, the War God then stretched is own shield over them both just to make sure, giving the cabin a quick check to make sure their was nothing to give them away.

The two opposing alien powers rolled in obviously annoyed and in the middle of some type of argument, neither of the young gods could understand, getting only that each side was accusing the other of something.  After scanning the corpse in obvious frustration they left again, both sides left in a huff just as abruptly as they came obviously baffled and angry at the other power as if the other side had cheated in some way.

"What was that about?" asked the younger god shocked.

"I haven't a clue, let me give you the memories of what happened after you died." Said Xander transferring the memories.

"So I somehow annoyed them so much they made sure I wouldn't survive if I was immortal, by burying me under tons of rock at the bottom of the sea.  The question is why did they come back obviously annoyed at something, from the feel of that argument when they returned they were really expecting me to have risen from the grave and the fact that I hadn't has frustrated them."

"I know it is strange, obviously they came back to check for a reason.  My guess is that something didn't happen because you became a God that should have happened if you had died normally." Said Xander.

The Young Sea God turned wide brown eyes on the War God, "My soul, neither side got my soul to play with, I should have been consigned to Heaven or Hell or at the very least Purgatory by the rules of their game.  If I hadn't annoyed them so much they wouldn't have noticed I was missing but when I wasn't accounted for they came back to check if I had risen and they will keep coming back until I am accounted for to their satisfaction."

"Damn! What are we going to do?" groaned Xander sinking down and resting against the cabin wall in despair.

"I have know idea, obviously they have to account for the soul of Captain Jack Sparrow." The new god sighed. "How we do it without getting them any more paranoid about me is the trick."

"Immortal supernatural creature, won't work we'd have to get rid of the body for a start and then you'd have to either stay here or risk not getting back in time for a random check-up, which would be often considering how much they made sure you were contained on the slim chance of your rising that way when you died." Said Xander.

"Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, what else happens to souls when they die?" muttered Jack.

"If you were a pagan devotee of the old Gods of this universe you'd be under their rules, like Larry was." Said Xander "Even then they could check you remained wherever you were judged to."

"I didn't really believe in anything other than punishment for betrayal and such, I knew the Aztec Pagan Gods were real having been under their curse for a time but even imitating that wouldn't work they'd be keeping track of me constantly." Said Jack.

"The Aztec Gods are all gone now they wiped them out when the Spanish started converting to Christianity, that is why the world is about to get out of control the last few controls left are gone." Said Xander.  "Tell me about this curse they had." Ordered Xander.

"Easier to just show you." Muttered Jack giving him the memories from the mutiny and his marooning on the island, then from entering Port Royal to breaking the curse.

"Ghost Ship." Laughed Xander.  "Ghosts are never that solid or deadly except on a Hellmouth, usually they don't effect much as it takes a lot of energy just to affect matter in the smallest way even to giving themselves a seeable form.  Even the poltergeists have short bursts I mean the real ones not the disturbed children and adolescents who are slightly telekinetic.  Normal ghosts are usually just restless spirits wondering the earth not really effecting anything." The alarm sounded again and the two Gods took up their shielding and invisibility once more as the two forces again examined the corpse of Jack Sparrow and withdrew again just as frustrated.

"Well I guess that's that, the only way they will let up is to account for old Jack Sparrow's Immortal Soul, which seeing as that is me I better make sure I'm accounted for and then forgotten." said Jack standing and pulling off the long black silk cravat and tying it around his head and braids much like his old red one only this covered his crown, creating a black duplicate of his old leather hat to complete the effect."  He then moved into the centre of the cabin and called the essence of the Black Pearl to him, smirking slightly when a ghostly miniature ship of energy that was an exact duplicate of the sunken carcase of wood, canvas and metal around him formed in his hand he could feel the remains of the Aztec curse giving that essence a touch of power, that would make this little masquerade more believable.

"What are you doing?" demanded Xander shocked.

"You said it yourself, ghosts are minor nuisances, restless souls wandering the Earth effecting little.  That will be my best disguise, the Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow is about to become just one more restless ineffectual Ghost wandering the Earth lost to Heaven and Hell."

"Even if you and the ship stay intangible they are going to sense god energy?" objected Xander.

"Ah! Xander, that's the beauty of it, can't you feel the Aztec energy marking my Pearl's essence, I'll imitate it and those up there will believe both I and my ship are being powered by the remains of the Aztec curse.  Hades I'll probably be able to pick up some real ghosts as crew." Laughed Jack obviously looking forward to the masquerade ahead.  "It will also give you a way to hide any future Gods you create, get them to play Ghost and then Ghostly Captain Jack Sparrow can sweet talk them into coming adventuring for a time on his God cursed ship the Black Pearl." Said the Sea God seriously.

Xander chuckled, "Both sides of the Force are going to be confused when you turn into a ghostly cruise ship."

"Cruise ship?" questioned Jack confused.

Xander sent him the information and the pirate turned Sea God laughed, "I like that, a vacation ship for Ghosts, they certainly can't get upset about that can they.  Now I suggest you get yourself back to your future, I have a Ghost ship and equally Ghostly Pirate Captain to rise from the depths of Davey Jones locker."

"Wait until midnight?" said Xander with a grin. "It's only an hour off."

"Why midnight?" asked Jack puzzled.

"Traditional time for Ghosts to rise, are you going for the tattered sail look again?"

"I'd never let my Pearl get in such a state, even as a ghost ship she is a lady and should be properly clothed as such.  We are playing real ghosts not skeleton pirates, or do you think I should try for my old clothes and hair style again?" asked Jack suddenly worried.

"Most ghosts reflect what the soul sees themselves as, the youth and clothes will be in keeping with the pristine Ghost ship, which will be perfect but intangible.  They will probably believe it more if you don't try to follow all the stereotype ghost stories of tattered sails and skeletons but act like the real thing." Said Xander.  "And you're right I better get back to the future the moment you rise, they will be down here in a shot making sure it isn't the mortal and his ship they encounter rising from the depths, and they will be scanning more than just your body this time." said Xander with a frown.  "They won't be able to track you when fully intangible, they won't even bother as Ghost can't be followed in that state, so where will you go afterwards?"

"We'll need a base, Atlantis, Olympus and Asphodel are out of the question as they are watched.  Which means we have to make a new one, I think I'll check out Isla de Murata, it sank six months ago when the earthquake set of the volcano on the Island.  The entire island collapsed as it was honeycombed with caves.  The island will still have the memory of those caves."

"You'll use the memory of the caves as a template to build a pocket dimension, using the memory pattern to make the space then shape it internally after it's made." Said Xander, Ares memories showing him how it could be done, it was much more elaborate than the small ones the gods made for privacy but they needed a home and base not a den.

"And if we need more than the caves it will be easy enough to duplicate it again and attach them together how ever many times we need." Said Jack with a grin.  "Almost midnight, oops forgot my compass, can't go without my compass." Laughed Jack walking over to the blanket covered corpse and holding his hand over the compass attached to his old body, drawing it's essence creating a ghostly duplicate similar to the Black Pearl he held in his other hand smiling he attached it to his belt.  "Come Pearl it's time we rose and give then a ghost story to cry over." Laughed Jack as he became just as intangible and the ship expanded around him and it started to float towards the surface very much a ghost ship on her maiden voyage into the afterlife.

Xander waited only until they cleared the broken ship turned tomb before willing himself back in the Fates cave in his own time.

*****

The Sea God that was once the Pirate Jack Sparrow rose with lazy elegance in his beautiful Ghostly Ship maintaining his own ghostly illusion with ease, as the Pearl settled onto the surface and she set sail, Jack ignored the startled buzz of the Alien powers as they went into a horrified tizzy as the ship set her own sails.

A true ghost wouldn't see or sense them so Jack acted as if they were not there, talking to his ship instead, "That's it Milady, we're free now forever." Jack then deliberately looked at his ghostly compass which now pointed wherever Jack or the Pearl wanted it too, ignoring the forces yammering around him in a rising frenzy of horror and mutual accusation.  "Now bring me that horizon, we have a world waiting for us to explore and no worries for eternity."  Suddenly the compass started pointing back to Port Royal and Jack frowned until he realised what the Pearl was wanting.  "I'm not so sure that is a good idea Milady, the good people of Port Royal would be a bit shocked when a ghostly pirate ship pulls into port.  Well yes I suppose they don't have to see us.  You think I should give James a proper goodbye, I could give him a heart attack instead." Then Jack actually laughed as the Pearl sent him a picture.  "Okay Milady, have it your way if he dies from the shock we'll steal him for first mate." Laughed Jack as they turned and headed for Port Royal setting both sides of the force as young Xander called them into horrified flight ahead of him.  Enjoying the flap he was causing Jack started singing Elizabeth's song as the ghost ship completely ignored the fact that there wasn't any wind and the water they sailed on didn't show the ghostly ship's passage.  He was looking forward to a proper goodbye with his Commodore he had never actually told James he loved him.  Even given the fact that he would have to remain an intangible ghost the entire time or betray the illusion, didn't dampen his spirits at the prospect.  It would be worth it and it had the added benefit of annoying the enemies enough to get them into this much of a frenzy, Jack smiled happily singing another verse wondering if it would annoy the powers watching him as much as it did his crew.