"Job, you say?" The celestial spirit, Jupiter, questioned.
Lucy looked up. "Yes. We're wizards from the guild, Fairy Tail. We took a job for a town nearby where we're supposed to defeat the wizard responsible for this strange weather. Although, clearly their information wasn't complete… Seeing as you're not a wizard at all."
"So, what can we do to get you to stop all of this crazy storm stuff, old man?" Gray asked.
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck the ground directly in front of Gray. Jupiter's expression had changed from calm interest to outrage.
"EEEEEEEK!" Lucy threw her hands into the air and began running around in a circle, unsure where the next crash of lightning might strike.
"Might I remind you, disrespectful boy, that I am a GOD. As the god of storms, I am one of the most powerful gods in existence in my world."
"Yeah, yeah." Gray swiped his hand through the air, dismissing the god's words. "You might be powerful, but it seems like you can't stray too far from your key, am I right?"
Jupiter's growing rage answered the question. Another bolt struck, singing the top of Gray's hair.
"Look, all we want is for you to stop wreaking havoc for the nearby town, and we'll go." Gray said flatly.
Jupiter chuckled. "To attempt to order around a god is foolish. My power is so great, it is difficult for it to be contained in the tiny key. It leaks out, causing this chaotic weather around me. I will not attempt to control it. It may be the only way that I can find the other imprisoned gods from my world."
Lucy abruptly stopped running. "Wait, so you're trying to help them find you? But… If they're also trapped in the celestial world, and probably trapped within celestial keys, how would they be able to search for you in the first place…?"
Jupiter scowled at the question. "It appears we would need the help of… humans... to find each other. I believe that we can only break this curse if we all come together again."
Gray nodded. "So, basically, we can't complete our mission and get paid unless we help you find the other gods? I guess you had better take his key then, Lucy." Gray nodded toward the glass key lying a few feet from them.
"ARE YOU INSANE?!" Lucy yelled. "You want to go on some wild goose chase to find a bunch of gods when we have NO idea where to start looking?! Do you even remember how small the payout for this job is going to be?! This is way more than we signed up for…" Lucy crossed her arms, exasperated.
"Come on, Lucy. You heard him. If this curse thing can't be broken, then gods will keep getting locked away. Without them, our world will lose everything." Lucy could tell that Gray was more excited about an adventure then he was concerned about saving the god of storm.
"Wait." Jupiter raised a hang toward the duo. "Only a celestial wizard will truly be able to help us."
Lucy giggled. Sticking her hand in a brown pouch that hung tightly against her hip, she removed a large key ring, which had several silver and gold keys hanging from it. A wide smile spread across Lucy's face. "I suppose I forgot to mention that I am a celestial wizard?" She smirked haughtily.
"Y.. You?" Jupiter looked up and down, clearly unimpressed by her.
"Seems like fate to me, big guy. What do you say we get a move on?" Gray turned, beginning to walk away from the celestial spirit. For a moment, it appeared that Jupiter's annoyance with the two would cause him to burst. However, as he realized that they were his best, or only, hope, he exhaled deeply and shrugged.
"Lucy, was it? I will contract with you, but only with the expectation that you will devote yourself to breaking this curse. At which time, I will no longer exist in the celestial realm and will no longer be your celestial spirit." He gestured toward his key, glistening amongst the grass.
Bending down cautiously (she was still slightly concerned that he may zap her with a lightning bolt), she closed her hand around the shimmering glass key. As she did, a golden glow enveloped her body. It stretched from her hand to her head and feet, warming her entire body. It was power. This power was different than anything she had experienced before. It was strong, focused, comforting, and yet, also felt lonely.
"This is part of my power." Jupiter announced. "As long as you work to help break the curse that has sealed us away, I will allow the power that leaks from my key, to become a part of you. You, and your other celestial spirits, will be stronger than ever before."
The glow disappeared, leaving Lucy feeling normal, but somehow more confident. "Alright, well, what other gods do you know of who we need to find?" Lucy asked.
"Before I was affected by the curse, I know of four who disappeared. Pontus, god of fish and sea creatures. Flora, goddess of agriculture. Bacchus, god of wine. Juturna, goddess of fountains."
At the mention of Bacchus, Lucy immediately thought of how Cana might fare if there was no alcohol left in the world. Shivering at such a frightful thought, Lucy faced Jupiter with conviction in her eyes. "We will find them."
Jupiter smiled slightly. "The sooner, the better. It is only a matter of time before more gods are imprisoned, and it is difficult to tell if more have been taken even since my capture." Signaling the completion of the conversation, Jupiter nodded gently to Lucy. His body, transparent as a gentle mist, began to absorb into the glass key, until no sign he had ever been there was left.
Lucy clutched the key tightly in her hand and ran to catch up to Gray. "So, we're doing this?" She asked, huffing as she reached him.
"Might as well. What else were we going to do without Natsu, Wendy, and Erza around anyway?" Gray stretched his arms behind his head, walking casually forward.
Lucy's eyebrow twitched. "You're making this sound a lot lighter than it really is, Gray!"
He stopped and turned to look at her, a slight confusion on his face. "When has being negative about something ever solved the problem?" He resumed his walk forward, letting Lucy ponder his words. She brushed a few golden strands of hair from her face and looked down at the beautiful key that laid in her hand. She smiled gently as the truth of Gray's words came to her. Every now and then, he surprised her. She found his words oddly comforting.
But, suddenly, she remembered something important. "GRAY! We almost forgot Juvia!"
