Let's go ahead a finish this arc up, since I've got it written out.

Lucy POV

My magic suddenly stopped, as if it had broken through the invisible door it had been battering against. Eyes blinking rapidly, I looked around in awe, to find the world had frozen. Droplets hung suspended in the air, the waterfall stopped like a picture. It was so… quiet. I looked behind me and saw even a few leaves suspended in mid-air, the trees still bent backwards. I looked back at Loke to see him blinking in confusion as well, looking around on his own. And then his eyes widened and he gasped.

"It's him," he whispered, stiffening and rolling out of my arms, scrambling to kneel and bow his head. I became aware of a massive, almost physically oppressive and impossibly dense source of magic coming from above and I slowly looked up. My own eyes widened and my arms fell to the side limply in shock, my gaze slowly taking in the massive figure suspended above us at the top of the waterfalls. Man-like in form, he was clad in armor that shined like the northern star, the gaps of shadow between the plates as deep as space itself. His cloak appeared to be cut from the night sky, and it waved around his form as if caught in a gentle breeze. He had a large beard that reached about halfway down his chest, the color white as snow. A massive moustache stuck out from below his hooked nose, his skin blue and translucent. Two stars burned for his eyes, an armored crown placed atop his head.

His arms were crossed and his stature demanded respect. My jaw dropped open in awe.

"Celestial Spirit King, my lord," Loke called out in acknowledgment and deference.

"Holy Shit," I breathed dumbly.

"Hello, old friend," The king's deep, booming voice struck both fear and awe through my muscles, echoing in the silence. "It is good to see you again, although it does not change your crime."

Loke let out a small whimper and hung his head.

"You broke the cardinal rule, old friend. And for that, I can never let you return to our kingdom. It matters not whether the fault is direct or indirect. Truly, I am sorry," the king continued, voice holding true remorse for the statement.

"Bullshit!" I blurted out shakily before I could stop myself. Well, all in now, I guess. Loke snapped his head to stare at me in alarm, and I squashed the fear and nervousness building in me. "This punishment has gone too far! He has suffered! He has suffered horrible pain and guilt for three years here in the human world! His crime has to be atoned!" I continued strongly, voice only shaking a little. Steeling myself, I stood up and stared at the deity before me. The massive, crowned head cocked in curiosity.

"I am for certain pained by my old friend's fate-" the booming voice started, but anger reared up in me.

"He's not an old friend! He's right here! He's still right here, right in front of you! He's still alive and he's in front of your very eyes!" I yelled angrily, gesturing at Loke and ignoring his stunned expression.

"Lucy-" he started, voice urgent.

"NO. I will not stand by and let this happen to you, Loke!" I snap at him, eyes ablaze. I look back up at the Celestial Spirit KIng. "So listen up, Mustache Man! Loke is innocent, and I won't accept anything less than that!"

I paled a little at the realization of the nickname I just yelled at this literal god in front of me, but powered through, only noting how he cocked an eyebrow and his mouth turned up slightly in a smirk.

"Stop it, Lucy! I want to repent! Let me do this!" Loke begged me, a desperate glint to his eye. I shook my head violently.

"NO! Your death will not help you repent! It will not bring Karen back! All it will bring is more sadness for all of the people who care about you!" I choked out, my voice raw and the tears starting to spill over. He opened his mouth to protest again. "You're being selfish! You need to live, Loke! That's the only way for you to repent!"

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a labored breath, digging deep into that reservoir of power at my core. My fingers closed around my keys and yanked the full ring from the pouch, clenching the warm metal in a white-knuckled fist.

"Come out!" I gasp in strain, feeling the insane pull of magic as all nine of my spirits are called to this world in a flash of blinding light, each physical form shimmering into existence. "THESE ARE YOUR FRIENDS! AND NOT ONLY THEM, BUT EVERYONE AT FAIRY TAIL!" I bellowed, voice hoarse. It feels like my entire being was being ripped apart as my magic strained to hold them all. "AND THEY WOULD ALL BE SAD IF YOU WERE TO DIE!"

Loke watched in awe and wonder, and I held on for as long as I could as each spirit nodded at him with kind, reassuring smiles in a show of solidarity. I held on as long as I could until the connection snapped from the strain and I collapsed to the ground, fatigue turning my limbs to lead and my breathing ragged as I gulp down burning gasps of air. My spirits blink back out of this reality with a large shower of sparks, but a warmth of thanks lingers through the link. The sweat stung my eyes as I forced them open, tears mixing as both ran down my face.

"Lucy, why - why would you do this? I can't have you die too! I can't let you die like Karen!" Loke sobbed as he crawled over and wrapped his arms around me, his body shaking. My head spun dangerously but I still forced out a dry chuckle.

"And I can't have you die, either, you dumbass!" I pant, eyes fluttering as I try to keep them open, staring straight at the king over Loke's shoulder. "So please. Let him live," I beg quietly. There was a beat of silence and my heart sank as the King just stared back at me.

And then… he laughed.

"Mustache Man," he chuckled warmly, shaking his head. I stare at him in disbelief.

"That's the part you picked up on?!" I shrieked. But it was short lived as he raised his massive hand in a placating gesture of silence.

"Your words have moved me, young one. I cannot deny the truth to them. Perhaps it is time to re-examine the old laws - and to, perhaps, allow repentance. After all, Leo only did what he did in an effort to save Aries, much like you have just thrown yourself in harm's way and given so much of yourself just to save him. It's a bond I would never want to break." he ponders aloud, hand stroking his beard thoughtfully.

Both Loke and I stare at him with wide-eyes, hope blooming in my chest.

"You may return to the Spirit World, my old friend," the King declares. Loke gasps and I grin madly. "As your friend has said, if you wish to repent, you should continue to live. Form a contract with her, and serve her loyally. This can be your penance," he continues. I open my mouth to argue that he shouldn't have to but Loke speaks up first.

"Absolutely, my king," he agrees quickly, nodding. The king cocks his head again and stares at me for a moment.

"You shall be a very interesting case indeed, Miss Heartfillia," he says cryptically. "Just remember," he starts. And then his mouth breaks into a massive grin, his hands gesturing to his face. "To smile!"

I choke out a laugh. "Definitely, Stache-face!" I laugh before I can stop myself, smacking a hand over my mouth as soon as the name slips out, my eyes going wide. But the massive god before me just winks, and shimmers out of existence.

THe sudden return of the sound of the waterfall startles me as time restarts and I squawk, almost falling over if not for Loke's arms still holding me. After a moment, he starts to laugh and I wheeze out a chuckle.

"I can't believe you just called the Celestial Spirit King 'stache-face'," he snorts, snickering into my shoulder. I blink rapidly and blush. Oh shit. I can't believe I just did that.

"Oi!" I hear a familiar baritone call out from behind me and Loke chuckles again. Before I know what's happening, he's hoisted me up in his arms bridal style. Blinking rapidly, my vision focuses as he turns us around to face the treeline where a ruffled Laxus is marching (actually, is he stumbling?) towards us, a scowl on his face.

"I better hand you off to your Dragon before he eats me alive," Loke whispers conspiratorily before taking a few steps to meet Laxus partway. Wait, what? My… Dragon?

"What do you-" Laxus starts as he approaches but Loke speaks up.

"She's used up a lot of magic, she can't stand on her own right now," he explains calmly, nodding at the large blond man as he steps in range. He holds me out to him and Laxus quickly takes me in his arms, cradling me to his chest protectively as both men ignore my squawks of protest. I feel Loke hold onto my hand and I look at him curiously. He smiles at me and his form shimmers for a moment. Panic wells up in me and I grab his hand tighter. Before I can panic more, he hushes me. "I'm just going back to the spirit world, princess." he explains. "I'm not going anywhere."

Laxus grunts and halfheartedly tugs me away a little bit, making his displeasure known but not breaking the connection. I briefly note that he also seems heavily fatigued.

"Looks like I'll be seeing you a bit more often now, Thunder God. So you better take good care of her, since I'm not going anywhere," he says to the blond man, smirking.

"Fuckin stupid-ass playboy…" Laxus grumbles under his breath. Loke ignores him and looks back to me, the smirk turning into a warm smile.

"TIme for us both to get some rest. I'll see you soon, princess," he squeezes my hand once more before he shimmers away, the feel of his solid hand replaced by the feeling of a thin metal object. I look at my palm to find a golden zodiac key. His key. I curl my fingers around it and hold it to my chest, smiling.

"I did it," I breathed, letting my eyelids droop.

"You're somethin' else, Blondie," Laxus mutters, and I snuggle into his chest and let the exhaustion carry me into unconsciousness.

Okies we're caught back up to how far I have written. Gimme reviews. I crave validation.