"No!" Lucy shouted, watching helplessly as Jupiter faded from existence. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt Gray's hand press against her shoulder. "I don't want this." She muttered. The pain Lucy felt building in her chest was intense. If she didn't know any better, she may have thought it would physically spill from her.

"You think you're so noble." Mars turned back to Venus, hatred etched on his features. "But you willingly killed the king of the gods to suite you're own purpose. Are you really any better than me? You think we shouldn't manipulate the humans to our whims, but you manipulated those humans and all of the gods you trapped. You sacrificed the king like a dog."

Lucy stood up, anger and pain still filling her soul. Gray placed his arm around her shoulder. She eyed Venus, frowning. Khione shot her head back and forth between Lucy and Venus, wondering what would happen next.

"How could you?!" Lucy demanded. "Mars is right!" Mars looked pleasantly surprised at this revelation. "You may have been trying to help people, but intentionally sacrificing someone in the process is wrong! You may be gods, but you have no idea how to treat your friends! Your friends are your family... those around you should be treasured, not expended!" Lucy lifted her right hand and glanced at her guild mark. Gray placed a hand to the mark and his chest.

"Lucy is right. We're members of fairy tail where everyone is an important part of our family. People, spirits, cats, it doesn't matter. If you're with us, we'll sacrifice everything to protect our family."

Lucy turned her head to view Jupiter again. The last of his body had turned to dust. The key he had once belonged to was completely vanished. Lucy cried out. "I couldn't save him! After everything he did for me, I couldn't save him!"

Falling to her knees, she buried her head in her arm and cried. The pain in her chest began to grow again. The feeling that her feelings might burst from her body returned. "Damnit!" She yelled, slamming her fist into the ground. As her hand made contact with the floor, a sudden glow burst forth from her body.

"Lucy!" Gray yelled, trying to grab her from the bright light. The light kicked Gray back. It was like a living being.

"Could it be?" Venus muttered.

The light shot from Lucy to the area where Jupiter lay just a moment ago. Lucy fell to the ground, sweating.

"Are you okay?!" Gray kneeled by her side.

"I'm fine..."

"Look!" Mars yelled, pointing.

Where his finger directed, a small, glowing orb floated a few inches from the floor. The orb shined light blue while wisps of smoke curled up from it.

Venus spoke up. "I believe... it's Jupiter's soul."

"What!?" Lucy turned to Venus, shocked. "What should we do with it!?"

Gray looked unsure. "Is it okay for it to just be... floating there?"

A strong, deep voice called from the sky, causing Gray to jump and fall over. He rubbed the lump on his head, trying to listen to the voice.

"Old friend." It called.

"Celestial king!?" Lucy knew who it was immediately.

The king chuckled. "Yes, it is I. Old friend, I was able to use the strength of your love and pain for Jupiter, and the last traces of celestial magic that flowed within him, to protect his soul. His soul holds his memories, emotions, heart; the very essence of his being."

"No way! But what are we supposed to do with it?" Lucy asked.

"Simply protect it. Over time, his body will reform as it was to accommodate his soul. I am not sure how long this process will take. I have never used this magic before and many factors can slow or speed the process. Do not allow his soul to come to any harm, however, and it will go smoothly."

Still staring at the sky, and holding Jupiter's glowing soul close, Lucy wiped the last of her tears from her eyes. "Thank you... celestial king..." She whispered. Turning to Gray, she smiled.

"I guess all this craziness is over, huh." Gray asked, smirking.

"I think the craziness may just be beginning. We still have to go back to the guild and explain to everyone that we're..." Lucy trailed off.

"What?" Gray looked at her, worried.

"I was going to say together but... we're really not, right? I mean, not officially. I just... don't mean to jump to conclusions... just..." Lucy babbled. She hadn't expected what happened next.

Gray's lips pressed against hers. His gruff hand pulled her chin up gently to allow his lips to gain a better grasp onto hers. Her eyes shot open in surprise at first, but quickly closed to allow her senses to fully enjoy the feel of his soft lips. She had been tense and afraid since this had all begun several days prior. The closeness of his touch allowed the tension to ebb away. A minute later, the ice wizard finally allowed Lucy to catch her breath.

"Whatever i need to call you to make sure everyone knows you're mine, that's what we are." Gray rumbled, still pulling Lucy close to against his chest.

Lucy blushed. "Alright."

Remembering they were surrounded by three gods, Lucy pulled herself from Gray and held out the god king's soul. "Venus, i think you should have this."

"Me?" Venus asked, surprised.

"Yes. You heard the celestial king. It needs to be protect so his body can reform." Lucy's face became serious. "You owe it to Jupiter to protect him with everything you have, until he's able to protect himself again."

Venus smiled. "You're right... i would be honored."

Several hours later, Lucy and Gray had been transported back to earth, thanks to the gods. Annoyingly, however, they had left them about a day's journey from the guild. Night had fallen and Gray and Lucy decided to set up camp amidst a large field they have been traveling.

"The stars are so bright and clear tonight." Lucy crooned. "It's like the celestial world is thanking us."

Gray grunted. Lucy could see that he was removing his clothes. Gray always slept in his underwear. It never even mattered who was around, he truly couldn't sleep any other way. He climbed into his sleeping bag.

"Man, I'm exhausted." He muttered, turning to Lucy. He noticed a strange look in her. It was one he had never seen before, but it almost appeared slightly hungry.

"Too exhausted for me?" Lucy whispered.

Gray turned to look at Lucy. He realized he hadn't noticed her changing clothes. What she wore now shook him from his exhaustion.