01-09-2017, 04:59 AM
It was certainly beginning to get crowded at that strange landmark. The gullible kid with the glasses, the young girl who'd named herself “Moon”, and the strangely dressed red-head were all tame enough. But then there was the alligator.
Sure, Usopp had met plenty of Zoan-type Devil Fruit Users in his time. The Human-Human Fruit User Chopper was one of his best friends. But most of them had tried to kill Usopp in the past. Which made both the alligator and its red-haired friend a source of worry for the sniper.
His mind racing for a way out of this situation, Usopp was about to take a step back from the two when the girl started speaking, a warm smile on her face.
“So sorry to interrupt, but it was just so nice seeing people around that I couldn't help but to come over and introduce myself. I'm Chronoire Schwarz the Sixth, and my reptilian friend here is called Sebas.”
As she introduced it, the crocodilian creature nodded and said, “Much obliged.” It's voice was deep and hoarse, befitting its monstrous form.
“Might I ask your names?” Chronoire continued, her smile beaming comfortingly at the young trio.
Usopp blinked in confusion, marveling at the strange situation he'd found himself in. Since he'd met Luffy and the others, it seemed that most of those they'd met were enemies. But maybe in this place people were friendlier. While he sought to sort of his thoughts and feelings, his young friend spoke up.
“I'm Serraph Quarrere, and this is the Great Captain King Usopp!” Serraph said, gesturing to Usopp.
“Uh... just Usopp is fine...” the sniper muttered softly from behind Serraph.
Moon spoke up as well, “Alola Chronoire! I'm Moon! Maybe YOU know where we are?”
A melodious laugh came from Ms. Schwarz and somehow her smile became more sincere. “I probably know about as much as you do. You just got here, right? Well, I'm sure you heard what Omni said: this is apparently someplace called the...”
The woman continued speaking, but Usopp didn't hear the words. A feeling of dread had fallen upon him. S-something wasn't right. Though the sniper was just beginning to understand Haki, he knew this feeling... that sensation that someone was hidden nearby. His eyes scanned their surroundings and quickly caught sight of what was nagging at him. Not far away... someone was invisible. An aura of life-force was all that gave them away, and even that was faint... like whatever it was was barely even alive at all.
Immediately, Usopp's thoughts went back, and his face went pale. He remembered Thriller Bark, the island/boat where the Straw Hats had fought against Gecko Moria. One of the Warlord's minions had been a man who could turn invisible. Usopp remembered how strong the guy was too... he'd been able to fight evenly against even Sanji. No... nonononono... this was bad. This was very bad.
“Are you alright, Just Usopp?” Serraph asked, a worried look in his young eyes, breaking him from his thoughts..
Moon nodded in agreement, adding in, “You look like you've seen a ghost!”
Even the crocodile seemed to be concerned about him, and Chronaire even took a step towards him. He wanted desperately to tell them. To warn them of the danger they were in. But... the Zombie General hadn't made a move yet. Maybe he was just here to observe them. If Usopp told them... they'd certainly be killed. But maybe if her didn't say anything, the enemy would leave on his own... Yeah... that was it. He'd just pretend nothing was wrong. That was the only way they would survive.
The King of Snipers laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head, “N-no. It's nothing, really.”
“And it's not Just Usopp... It's Usopp...” he muttered softly afterwards.
“Ye wouldnae be lying now, would ye son?” a mysterious voice asked from behind the long-nosed boy.
A sinister shadow fell over Usopp, sending a shiver up his spine. Slowly, his head turned, eyes moving up to stare at the enormous priest towering over him. The man's glasses shown with an eerie light and his previously pleasant smile appeared far more intimidating to the young sniper.
Knees shaking, Usopp tried to regain his composure, waving his hand in front of his face with a nervous smile.
“O-of course not... uh... Who are you?” Usopp asked fearfully.
“Ye mae call me Father Alexander Anderson. No need fer introductions on yer part, Usopp. I apologize fer eavesdropping, but I couldnae help but to overhear ye from nearby.” the priest spoke flatly, still eyeing the sniper suspiciously.
Usopp was unable to meet that imperious gaze as Anderson continued to leer imperiously down at him. He tried desperately to think of a way out of this situation. He couldn't just run, that'd just make him more suspicious. Usopp couldn't quite put his finger on it... but this guy didn't seem like someone to mess with. Like Zoro, something about him just seemed... feral.
Of course, it didn't seem like lying was working either. The man was already suspicious of him. If he told the truth, that invisible flea-bag would probably kill them all. That left only one option.
“Hey! Check this out!” Usopp suddenly yelled, pulling his slingshot from his satchel. Quick as lightning, a small metal ball was placed into its strap and he aimed above the group's heads.
“Special Attack: LEAD STAR!” he shouted as he launched the projectile skyward. As it raced towards the heavens, Usopp retrieved a second ball and prepared a shot. Soon, it reached the apex and began to fall back towards the ground.
“Usopp Super Special Ultra Trick Shot... LEAD STAR DEFLECT!!!”
The second ball sped towards the first. Spectacularly, they impacted in the air a couple dozen centimeters from the tops of the shorter people's heads, showering the group with harmless sparks. But then it all went wrong. The first projectile rebounded harmlessly towards the fountain, its momentum all but spent. But the second... the second made a beeline towards that invisible threat.
Usopp's jaw dropped, eyes bugging comically from his head as he watched it get closer and closer to its target. His hand stretched forward, as though by sheer force of will he could stop it. Soon enough, it struck, a faint, hollow thud marking the end of its course. This was it. Usopp's adventure ended, before it had even begun. Tears welled up in his eyes and his thoughts drifted back to the good times he had had.
“Seriously? A fookin' ball-bearin'? Wot kin'a sod hits a gent with a metal marble, eh? And who even uses a slingshot, anyway? Wot are ya, nine?” came the irritated exclamation from a now visible and annoyed man, dressed strangely similarly to the crocodile.
Sure, Usopp had met plenty of Zoan-type Devil Fruit Users in his time. The Human-Human Fruit User Chopper was one of his best friends. But most of them had tried to kill Usopp in the past. Which made both the alligator and its red-haired friend a source of worry for the sniper.
His mind racing for a way out of this situation, Usopp was about to take a step back from the two when the girl started speaking, a warm smile on her face.
“So sorry to interrupt, but it was just so nice seeing people around that I couldn't help but to come over and introduce myself. I'm Chronoire Schwarz the Sixth, and my reptilian friend here is called Sebas.”
As she introduced it, the crocodilian creature nodded and said, “Much obliged.” It's voice was deep and hoarse, befitting its monstrous form.
“Might I ask your names?” Chronoire continued, her smile beaming comfortingly at the young trio.
Usopp blinked in confusion, marveling at the strange situation he'd found himself in. Since he'd met Luffy and the others, it seemed that most of those they'd met were enemies. But maybe in this place people were friendlier. While he sought to sort of his thoughts and feelings, his young friend spoke up.
“I'm Serraph Quarrere, and this is the Great Captain King Usopp!” Serraph said, gesturing to Usopp.
“Uh... just Usopp is fine...” the sniper muttered softly from behind Serraph.
Moon spoke up as well, “Alola Chronoire! I'm Moon! Maybe YOU know where we are?”
A melodious laugh came from Ms. Schwarz and somehow her smile became more sincere. “I probably know about as much as you do. You just got here, right? Well, I'm sure you heard what Omni said: this is apparently someplace called the...”
The woman continued speaking, but Usopp didn't hear the words. A feeling of dread had fallen upon him. S-something wasn't right. Though the sniper was just beginning to understand Haki, he knew this feeling... that sensation that someone was hidden nearby. His eyes scanned their surroundings and quickly caught sight of what was nagging at him. Not far away... someone was invisible. An aura of life-force was all that gave them away, and even that was faint... like whatever it was was barely even alive at all.
Immediately, Usopp's thoughts went back, and his face went pale. He remembered Thriller Bark, the island/boat where the Straw Hats had fought against Gecko Moria. One of the Warlord's minions had been a man who could turn invisible. Usopp remembered how strong the guy was too... he'd been able to fight evenly against even Sanji. No... nonononono... this was bad. This was very bad.
“Are you alright, Just Usopp?” Serraph asked, a worried look in his young eyes, breaking him from his thoughts..
Moon nodded in agreement, adding in, “You look like you've seen a ghost!”
Even the crocodile seemed to be concerned about him, and Chronaire even took a step towards him. He wanted desperately to tell them. To warn them of the danger they were in. But... the Zombie General hadn't made a move yet. Maybe he was just here to observe them. If Usopp told them... they'd certainly be killed. But maybe if her didn't say anything, the enemy would leave on his own... Yeah... that was it. He'd just pretend nothing was wrong. That was the only way they would survive.
The King of Snipers laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head, “N-no. It's nothing, really.”
“And it's not Just Usopp... It's Usopp...” he muttered softly afterwards.
“Ye wouldnae be lying now, would ye son?” a mysterious voice asked from behind the long-nosed boy.
A sinister shadow fell over Usopp, sending a shiver up his spine. Slowly, his head turned, eyes moving up to stare at the enormous priest towering over him. The man's glasses shown with an eerie light and his previously pleasant smile appeared far more intimidating to the young sniper.
Knees shaking, Usopp tried to regain his composure, waving his hand in front of his face with a nervous smile.
“O-of course not... uh... Who are you?” Usopp asked fearfully.
“Ye mae call me Father Alexander Anderson. No need fer introductions on yer part, Usopp. I apologize fer eavesdropping, but I couldnae help but to overhear ye from nearby.” the priest spoke flatly, still eyeing the sniper suspiciously.
Usopp was unable to meet that imperious gaze as Anderson continued to leer imperiously down at him. He tried desperately to think of a way out of this situation. He couldn't just run, that'd just make him more suspicious. Usopp couldn't quite put his finger on it... but this guy didn't seem like someone to mess with. Like Zoro, something about him just seemed... feral.
Of course, it didn't seem like lying was working either. The man was already suspicious of him. If he told the truth, that invisible flea-bag would probably kill them all. That left only one option.
“Hey! Check this out!” Usopp suddenly yelled, pulling his slingshot from his satchel. Quick as lightning, a small metal ball was placed into its strap and he aimed above the group's heads.
“Special Attack: LEAD STAR!” he shouted as he launched the projectile skyward. As it raced towards the heavens, Usopp retrieved a second ball and prepared a shot. Soon, it reached the apex and began to fall back towards the ground.
“Usopp Super Special Ultra Trick Shot... LEAD STAR DEFLECT!!!”
The second ball sped towards the first. Spectacularly, they impacted in the air a couple dozen centimeters from the tops of the shorter people's heads, showering the group with harmless sparks. But then it all went wrong. The first projectile rebounded harmlessly towards the fountain, its momentum all but spent. But the second... the second made a beeline towards that invisible threat.
Usopp's jaw dropped, eyes bugging comically from his head as he watched it get closer and closer to its target. His hand stretched forward, as though by sheer force of will he could stop it. Soon enough, it struck, a faint, hollow thud marking the end of its course. This was it. Usopp's adventure ended, before it had even begun. Tears welled up in his eyes and his thoughts drifted back to the good times he had had.
“Seriously? A fookin' ball-bearin'? Wot kin'a sod hits a gent with a metal marble, eh? And who even uses a slingshot, anyway? Wot are ya, nine?” came the irritated exclamation from a now visible and annoyed man, dressed strangely similarly to the crocodile.