I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.

Where Are They Now – Usopp

/An Archipelago Somewhere In The Grand Line/

An island of paradise.

That is how Usopp first interpreted the place he'd been blasted off to, a place straight out of a fairy tale. No other island came close to what this one was like … on the surface.

When he'd awoken, battered and bruised from his fight on Sabaody, Usopp had initially thought himself suffering a major form of concussion or possessing a delusional fever. The smells assaulting his nose, the sights before his very eyes … none could possibly be real, could they?

So, he slept for two days, attempting to recuperate as best as he could.

After waking on the third day, reality finally hit home for Usopp that yes, this strange fantasy land was actually real and he was right at the centre of it. Once that sunk in, the Straw Hat Sniper began scoping the place out.

At first, he assumed what he was seeing must have been some sort of localized phenomena. All around him, every single thing in sight was entirely comprised of food.

The trees were made from chocolate wafers, their leaves large rectangular pieces of chewing gum. Draping from the gum leaves, large and edible cakes of all varieties with their own dressings and flavours to choose from.

If the strange trees weren't enough, the river was literally made out of ramen. Constantly hot, its contents changing as the river flowed, along with the taste, it boggled the mind how something like this could even exist!

But then Usopp saw the boulders made of already cooked meat. From large boneless ham to deliciously tender pork, Usopp actually contemplated if he'd died and gone to heaven.

Walking over a gingerbread bridge, Usopp took a bite from one of the cakes he'd picked from a gum tree before setting down just off of the side of the strange path he'd been following.

He'd not seen a single soul from the moment he'd awoken, yet someone had clearly built and maintained infostructure about the place. Sure, it was made out of food, but the designs were certainly not naturally formed, he wouldn't be fooled into believing such a thing.

In fact, his survival instincts seemed to be telling him not to trust anything here at all, let alone let his guard down upon the assumption that he was alone on this island. The whole place felt wrong, even by the standards of the wacky places the Grand Line and the New World had to offer.

"Someone had to have made this place the way it is," Usopp muttered to himself as he finished off his cake. "I've gotta figure out where I am before I worry about that though."

He'd been following the tried-and-true method of 'walk straight until you hit a beach' method in order to get some form of proper bearings, but that didn't seem to be panning out very well for him.

Two days straight and the strange leaf-like dome that towered over the island hadn't come any closer than before. He almost felt like the island was moving with him or something, like the island was deliberately keeping him centralized for some reason?

"Heh! There's no way that's true," Usopp scoffed as he rose to his feet and continued his trek forward. "Not like the island is alive or anything!?"

In truth, Usopp was actually terrified. He didn't have any weapons on him, no backup from his much stronger friends and he had no idea where he was. The only thing that was realistically keeping him from having a mental breakdown at the moment was that the island was made out of stuff he could eat at any time, thus ensuring his survival on one front.

So, when his hearing picked up the sound of idle chatter, the young Sniper began to panic.

"Shitshitshit! What if these guys are evil Pirates who'll wanna kidnap me!? What if they're World Government who came looking for the great Captain Usopp!?"

Eyes wide, panting heavily as he desperately tried to reign in his fears, his body shakily jerked forward. He knew full well that he had to check out the source of the voices, even if it frightened him to do so.

There was always a chance that they were friendlies after all … right?

So, Usopp did what he did best, and snuck toward the source of the voices. The closer he got, the more audible and legible the voices became. And the more confusing.

The voices weren't distorted, unintelligible or menacing. Honestly, in his opinion, the voices weren't scary in the slightest. There was one major issue he had with the voices and, upon seemingly arriving at their source, he felt his fears return to strike him full force.

The voices were simply random, and the reason why they were random was truly horrifying.

"Wh-what the hell-!?"

Falling backward, he scrambled several metres back up the path he'd been following as his fully widened eyes slowly comprehended the full horror of what he was looking at.

The voices were definitely there, but they were being generated by an absolutely unholy abomination of a creature. A massive pile of flesh, bone and juices that slithered around on the ground like an overgrown slug.

He counted at least twenty mouths on the creature, all of which were talking to each other with crystal clear voices. They spoke as if they weren't even part of the creature, as if they were all separate living beings that lives somewhere else entirely.

One mouth spoke about how they had just returned home from work, fatigued after a hard day's labour. Another spoke about their child and how they were going to go pick them up from their friend's house soon.

This led Usopp to one conclusion …

"These were people once," the Sniper whimpered as he shakily got back to his feet. "Real, living people!? But what the hell happened to them!?"

Usopp immediately clamped a hand over his mouth, having accidently voiced his outburst aloud rather than within his head. Unfortunately, this attracted the attention of the strange slug creature as all the voices started yelling, sounding like an angry mob as the creature rolled around until it seemed to start charging at him.

"AAAAAAAAH! STAY THE HELL AWAY," Usopp screeched as he spun around on the spot and began to run for it.

To his horror, the slug like creature was actually gaining ground rather quickly due to its size and the momentum its rolling had begun to build up. He quickly found himself back at the gingerbread bridge he'd crossed earlier and sprinted across as fast as he could.

The strange creature simply smashed into the bridge, causing it to crumble before rolling into the ramen river. It continued to shout until all the mouths were submerged yet even then you could hear faint gurgling noises as bubbles rose to the surface of the ramen river.

As for Usopp, he was currently panting heavily, heart racing as he tried to process what had just happened. He was about to voice said thoughts when he started to hear the shouting again.

The creature was hauling itself out of the ramen river.

"Oi, what the hell-!?"

"Hit the deck young traveller," a boisterous voice cried from behind him that had Usopp immediately diving to the ground.

The mass reared up over the lip of the ramen river and was about to start rolling again only for a strange looking man wearing what Usopp could only describe as a superhero getup to seemingly warp in front of it and stab it with a spear.

The creature roared, all the voices crying out in unison as the man somehow lifted it high into the air using his spear with but one arm. This strange superhuman feat wasn't the end however as an arrow made seemingly of pure light shot over where Usopp was currently prone, piercing through the front of the beast and straight out of its rear.

The voices ceased, the beast having been completely cleaved in two by the arrow as the strange man before him flicked the rest of it off of his spear and to his left before turning to face him.

A clopping sound had Usopp look behind him only to see a strange horse/human hybrid approaching, bow held in its right hand. As it got closer, Usopp couldn't help but blurt out the first thing on his mind.

"Y-you're a Centaur!?"

The Centaur merely smiled as the strange man dressed like a superhero appeared right next to him, the pair sharing a brief look before looking down at Usopp again.

"Traveller, are you unharmed?"

"Uh … yeah."

"Excellent! We were right on time it seems," the strange man crowed with the Centaur merely chuckling in amusement. "Had we arrived too late, you too may have ended up part of that ghastly creature!"

"Wh-what!?"

"Judging by your reaction, you haven't got a clue where you are, do you," the Centaur asked prompting Usopp to slowly shake his head in the negative. "It appears that you are the one I saw descend from the skies like a shooting star several days ago."

"Our apologies for not reaching you sooner traveller, but we were on one of the nearby islands when you landed. We travelled here as quickly as we could though!"

"A-and where exactly is here?"

"Why, the Boin Archipelago," the man replied before introducing himself.

A World-Renowned Botanist

Warrior Hero Extraordinaire

Pop Heracles

Bounty – 877,420,000 Berries

"Pop Heracles," Usopp gasped as he looked up at the funnily dressed man. "I've heard of you! You're that former World Government scientist who ended up blowing up that lab and running off with their research, right!?"

"Aye, I did do that," Heracles replied as he placed his hands on his hips. "But I had a very good reason for doing so! This Archipelago is proof enough that man should not try to weaponize nature through force!"

"Is that what they were doing there, trying to weaponize nature?"

"Aye, it was," Heracles nodded stiffly. "That creature you saw just now, that is but one result from the countless horrors my research brought about."

"So, you've ended up here in the Boin Archipelago, trying to set things right?"

"Aye, I have. I was alone for some time until my good friend here deemed me worthy of his aid," Heracles replied as he motioned toward the Centaur who simply chuckled in response.

"Well, there is a bit more to it than that, but Heracles is correct that I too seek to help him correct the mistakes of his past. It is a noble and worthy goal, one that the World Government isn't too keen on seeing brought to reality."

A Servant Of The Chaldea Institute

Great Sage Of Greek Mythology

Son Of Machine Titan Kronos

The Trainer Of Heroes

The Great Sagittarius

Chiron (Archer)

Bounty – 655,812,000 Berries

"Y-you're a Servant!?"

"Heh. Indeed I am," Chiron nodded as Heracles helped Usopp to his feet. "I take it you are familiar with Servants?"

"Familiar is putting it a bit lightly," Usopp replied with a scoff. "My crew and I have seen dozens of them on our travels! One of the guys in my crew, Natsu, even has one himself!"

Chiron's eyes widened at the mention of Natsu's name, the centaur studying Usopp for several moments before responding.

"You mentioned the name Natsu, as in Natsu Dragneel, correct?"

"Yeah, that's him."

"And you travel with him?"

"Yeah! Well, we were until that Warlord Kuma came and blasted me and the rest of the crew to who knows where …"

"Bartholomew Kuma," Heracles cut in as both Chiron and he looked to one another. "What is your name traveller?"

"Usopp. Though my wanted poster says Sogeking on it," Usopp replied with Chiron nodding almost immediately.

"The Sniper King Sogeking, I've heard your name mentioned before," Chiron muttered as he began to circle him. "Very interesting …"

"I take it that the Warlord Kuma was too much for you and your friends, Usopp-un?"

"My name is Usopp, and yeah he was a monster for most of us," he sighed in response.

"Do not despair over such a loss Usopp-un," Heracles replied in response to Usopp's deflated state. "There are always those who tower above others in terms of combat prowess. Whatever happened that landed you here has shown you that you are in dire need of training!"

"Training," Usopp muttered with Heracles simply nodding in response. "You think that I lost because I need training?"

"Aye, I do."

Usopp grit his teeth, clenched his fists as he struggled not to snap back at Heracles. Chiron meanwhile simply stood off to the side and watched every twitch within Usopp with a calculated gaze, the gears turning in his head.

"There's no amount of training that could ever get a weakling like me to that level, are you insane," Usopp snapped suddenly which had Heracles take a startled step backward. "I'm not strong, I'm just some loser from the East Blue who lies a lot! I'm from the weakest of the Four Blues, I can't ever hope to match someone like a Warlord!?"

"Usopp-un," Heracles sighed as several tears escaped Usopp, his emotions now on full display for the two men before him as he began to slowly break down.

"All I ever wanted was to be a brave warrior of the sea, just like my Dad! I wanted to be able to face anyone and say that MY SKILLS WERE GOOD ENOUGH! MINE!"

Chiron and Heracles shared another look as Usopp dropped to his knees before punching the ground.

"I just wanted to be useful to my friends, not dead weight they don't want around … I thought after Enies Lobby I'd improved … but I was just fooling myself! I'm no warrior, I'm not even a rookie! I'm just some loser wimp from East Blue who coasted off of the backs of stronger people!"

Usopp honestly didn't know why he was venting to the two relative strangers before him. Perhaps he simply was at the end of his rope, or perhaps he just didn't care any longer and just decided to explode. He certainly didn't expect a response from the two men, especially the kind of response they opted to give.

"No man is born a hero, Usopp," Chiron murmured as his horse half knelt down so that he could better see the young man. "Heroes are never born, Usopp, they are forged through fire."

"Chiron is correct Usopp-un! No man is born with the ability to become a hero! Sure, they might be born with certain gifts, but that does not necessitate their ability to be a hero!"

"I just want to be strong enough to help my friends," Usopp sniffed as he met their gazes. "I don't care about being a hero, I just want to be able to stand with my friends and they know that I can hold my own! I'm sick of being the weak link, the one that always fucks things up for the others!"

"Then if that is truly the case Usopp, what will you do about it," Chiron asked quietly with Usopp's attention snapping firmly toward the Centaur. "You understand that you are weak, that you haven't the ability to continue travelling further with your friends … so what will you choose to do from this crossroads?"

"H-huh?"

"Will you remain by their sides as the weakling you believe yourself to be? Will you return to the East Blue, discarding your dreams and always wondering 'what if' until you last draw breath?"

Chiron then rose to his full height, towering over Usopp as he extended a hand toward the teary-eyed Straw Hat.

"Or, will you rise above the challenges ahead and become someone worthy to stand alongside your friends? Will you walk away in disgrace, or rise and become a legendary warrior of the sea?"

"You hit the nail on the head Chiron-un," Heracles' voice boomed as he too extended a hand toward Usopp. "Before you lies a choice Usopp-un! Let us help you become stronger so that none may ever question your ability again, or run back to the East Blue and live out your days! What say you, Usopp-un!?"

Usopp looked between the pair in shock at what they were offering. A Servant and a legendary figure of his world were offering to help him grow stronger, he could hardly believe it. Even as he pinched himself, feeling the slight pain from it, he still could hardly believe the offer before his eyes.

Chiron was smiling down at him, seemingly confident in what Usopp was going to choose as the Straw Hat Sniper slid one leg forward as both arms reached out to the proffered ones before him.

"I don't wanna be remembered as a coward … I don't want to be the dead weight anymore," Usopp replied firmly as he took Chiron and Heracles' hands. "I'm gonna train and grow stronger! I'll swear it, I'll become strong enough to become a true brave warrior of the sea!"

"Excellent."

"Well said Usopp-un!"

The two men hauled Usopp to his feet, Heracles patting him on the back which almost knocked him over again. After righting him, Heracles laughed before continuing to speak.

"First thing's first, we need to get more meat on you Usopp-un!"

"Huh?"

"Your build is lean, but lacking in muscle," Chiron said as Usopp checked himself over. "But don't worry, I'm confident that we can help you. After all, you aren't all that different from Jason when it comes down to it so I'm confident I can forge you into a real hero."

"Jason?"

"Ah, my apologies. I'm so used to speaking with those who originate from my own world," Chiron laughed. "Jason was one of my former students who went on to lead an entire crew of legendary warriors on an epic quest that went down in history. Much like you, Jason was rather weak in the beginning, but he ultimately became someone worthy of being known as a hero."

"Wow … So, you're like some great hero maker then?"

"I am quite well known for it back home, yes," Chiron nodded before immediately becoming much sterner. "However, do not believe that just because I have mentored many heroes before that you will have it easy. For one to grow stronger, it requires absolute dedication to their training! I cannot simply give you power, you must work harder than you've ever worked before and I am by no means an easy taskmaster!"

"Nor am I, Usopp-un!"

"In the beginning, you will feel pain unlike any you've ever felt before. You will curse our very names! Your mind will feel so much pain from all the theoretical knowledge it will feel like it is going to burst!"

"And yet, should you persevere through it all, you shall be all the better for it, Usopp-un!"

"We can help you grow strong Usopp, but the road shall be long and arduous. Like I said earlier, no hero is born, but rather forged through fire," Chiron said as he crossed his arms and looked down at Usopp's wide eyed, shocked expression. "Knowing that you are about to suffer worse than you've ever endured before, are you still committed to submitting yourself to the tutelage of myself and Heracles?"

"Yes!"

Chiron had to admit, he was surprised at Usopp's immediate response. Oh, he certainly looked afraid, but behind that surface level fear he could see the fire burning brightly within his eyes.

It was the same fire he'd seen in many of his other students like the swift Achilles, the studious Asclepius and the charismatic Jason but to name a few. All had the drive to reach the apex, to etch themselves into legend like he himself was etched into the very stars.

"Very well then," Chiron nodded as he turned to face his Master. "We should return back to our home; we have much to plan for."

"Aye. There is much to discuss about his training, though I have some idea of where to start, Chiron-un."

"You refer to taming the Archipelago with us?"

"Aye."

"Taming the Archipelago," Usopp asked as they started walking down the path and away from the ramen river. "What do you mean by that?"

"The Boin Archipelago is divided into an island chain of seven. Each island possesses differing types of plants, Usopp," Chiron began to explain. "We have come to name each island after the Seven Sins of Mankind."

"Why," Usopp asked slowly prompting Heracles to respond.

"Because, each of these islands is home to one of the Seven Deadly Sins, Usopp-un! This island we are on for example is the Island Of Gluttony as every detail is a gluttons best friend!"

"Take that creature my Master and I killed just before," Chiron began. "The separate mouths each represented one of the victims of the Island Of Gluttony. They ate and ate and ate until they grew so fat they could not move."

"What!?"

"The people who grew so fat were then moved to the centre of the island where they were devoured, the excess fat spat back out into what you saw before."

"Hold on a second, what moved them," Usopp asked with Chiron narrowing his eyes in response. "How could they have been moved to the centre and eaten; I haven't seen anyone else here!?"

"The answer to that question is rather simple, Usopp-un," Heracles replied softly as the entire island began to shake violently, the whole area feeling like it was moving forward.

"All seven islands are actually alive, Usopp," Chiron answered, Usopp's face growing deathly pale. "The islands are the result of Heracles' research and are aptly named 'Stomach Barons' due to their nature of devouring any who set foot upon their shores."

"Th-the islands are … alive," Usopp squeaked.

"We will train you on these islands, Usopp-un," Heracles continued as they exited the forest onto a moving beach, Usopp gaping in shock as he watched the series of islands moving along at a steady pace.

"Our goal is to strike at the heart of these islands Usopp," Chiron continued with Usopp's hopes of doing anything remotely resembling normal training being thrown out the window. "And by the end of it, you will have helped us put an end to the Isles Of Sin."

"Couldn't ask for better training, could you Usopp-un," Heracles laughed with Usopp shakily laughing along.

"I'm so screwed …"

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!