A/N: Hello dear readers. I am sure you are all wondering where chapter four is. And I am sorry to tell you that it will be a couple of weeks yet before I manage to get it out. These past two weeks have been... awful. On the tenth of this month my family lost one of its most treasured members - my grandpa.A few days prior he had had a fall, and went to the hospital, but because of an influx of flu patients, he was sent home two days after with medications for some sort of infection he had. There was nothing worse than getting that phone call while I was at work.We had his funeral this past Tuesday, and his burial was delayed due to poor weather, so instead of it happening on Wednesday, it happened on Thursday. I've been writing a few sentences and words here and there since, trying to push through, but so far I haven't even hit a thousand words. I just wanted to get what is written out to you guys as a sort of 'preview' and to let you all know about the delay.

I hope to have it posted sometime in the start of February. Should anything change, I will find some way to let you all know. I have also adopted a couple of stories from another author from a different fandom, and I will be splitting my time between three works now as I try to flesh out all the plot notes and character notes she has sent me for those fics.

Until next time.

-ClairvoyantMarauder

PREVIEW FOR CHAPTER FOUR: Enter Usopp

Charlotte, Age 17

Date: May 24th

"And so Hercules bravely walked forward and threw himself into the waters of Hades' hell, determined to reach and save Meg before it was too late."

Luffy was practically trembling with anticipation, eyes wide as he took in every detail of the story. It was odd, because most wouldn't think he would have the attention span to pay attention to long stories, but it was just about presenting the story in the correct way. Nami sat a little away from the boy on the other boat, but every now and then she would look up and sometimes ask questions about the story. Zoro was on the same boat as Sinclair, kicked back and laying down, but the lack of snores gave away that he was awake and also listening.

"Hercules could feel his energy and strength zapping away the further he swam down towards Meg's essence," Sinclair continued. "But he persevered, even though he could see the skin on his hands growing taut and liver spotted. In their own universe, the Fates were also watching, and they were readying his life string and their trusty scissors."

Luffy's breath hitched and he leaned forward excitedly. Nami paused in her money counting - the third time she had done so in the last two days - and Zoro cracked open an eye.

"The smallest Fate angled the scissors and snap! There was a moment of silence and then... 'What's wrong with these scissors?' she asked in surprise. 'The string won't cut!' one of her sisters cried out. Meanwhile, Hades was just as surprised. A warm, golden glow had encompassed Hercules as he emerged from the water holding Meg's spirit."

Luffy cheered.

"'That's impossible!' Hades insisted. Because there was only one possible way Hercules would have survived... and that was if he was a God." Sinclair smiled as Luffy's eyes twinkled. "Hades' plan was never meant to succeed, because on that day so many years before... Hercules did not drink every last drop of the potion Pain and Panic had forced on him. After dispatching Hades on final time, trapping him in the pool with the dead, Hercules made his way back to where he had left Phil watching over Meg's body."

"Happy ending!" Luffy exclaimed.

"Shh, it's not done yet." Nami hit him over the head, causing him to whine.

"'Wonder boy,' Meg whispered softly. 'Why?' Hercules could do nothing but smile. 'Because people do crazy things... when they're in love'. The sky rumbled and a cloud appeared beneath the two, lifting them into the sky. Cheers filled the air, louder than Hercules had ever heard, and Mount Olympus came into view. The gods and goddesses had gathered there. It was finally time to welcome Hercules home."

Luffy let out a whine of dismay and Nami's brows furrowed. "But, Meg..." they both mumbled.

"Let her finish," Zoro grunted.

"Hercules was so happy," Sinclair continued. "He walked forward and greeted his birth mother for the first time in his life. He smiled as other gods and goddesses congratulated him. Meg didn't think he would see her sneaking away. But he did. Rushing down the stairs, he took her hand and looked up at his father, Zeus. 'A life without Meg... even an immortal life would be... empty. I wish to stay on earth, with her.' Hercules had finally found the place where he belonged. And even though he was leaving, his godly parents and the others were happy for him. Hermes called forth the Muses to put on one final performance."

"Another song?"

Sinclair laughed. "Yes, Luffy. One last song." What was with Luffy and music? It had taken Sinclair hours the other day to convince him that just because she had a nice singing voice, it didn't mean she was a musician. She couldn't play a single instrument is her life depended on it.

"It'll have to wait," Nami interrupted. "We're here."

"Aw," Luffy grumbled. But the sulking didn't last long, especially when he was being faced with a new island to explore. "A new island! I wonder what it's like?"

Sinclair smiled and teased, "Who knows?" drawing a laugh from the navigator and swordsman.