"What would happen to Juvia and Jellal if Gray x Erza became canon?"
This is Juvia and Jellal's story.
"I still don't understand how only my sleeve got wet," Jellal complained as he wrung the water out. Juvia could feel his suspecting stare on the back of her neck. Jellal could stare at his heart's content. Juvia was not about to say a word about how it got wet. Nope, she was not into self-incrimination. Anyways, moving the plot along before Juvia gets sidetracked this early in the morning, Juvia and Jellal just finished their light packing for their mission. The water mage assumed that she would only be gone for less than a week if everything goes smoothly.
When does anything go as planned in Juvia's life, again? In retrospect, Juvia should've packed another week worth of clothes. How has Juvia survived this long? At every turn, something goes horribly bad or Juvia screws herself over. It's amazing that Juvia still clings to hope and positivity. Focus Juvia! There's a point to this! Juvia and Jellal were collecting their tickets to a heavily populated city that was relatively close to where Hades was supposed to awaken. If Juvia read the ticket correctly, then the city should be the same one the Grand Magic Games was held. Which means the worse case scenario is Hades awakens and goes on a rampage through the city because that's what crazed fiends tend to do. Moths to a flame.
With Apollo, Heps, and Hermes completely scared shitless by the Underworld God, Juvia could only truly rely on Persephone and Athena. This will be fun. At least, the train ride promises to be harmless and pleasant.
"Yo Juvia," Oh goddamnit, Juvia held back her sigh. "Wanna hear a story?"
"Apollo, what are you doing? Does Apollo not remember the agreement?" Juvia narrowed her eyes in his direction. She was still wary about that conversation she heard last night or least the conversation Juvia thought she heard last night. There was nothing concrete about it. Still, it was odd for Apollo to suddenly appear like this.
"Come Juvia, I promise you'll learn something from it." He winked. Juvia sweatdropped. Apollo... seducing Juvia will get you nowhere. Juvia hopes Apollo understands that.
"Does it connect to either of these missions?" Jellal asked as he looked out the window.
"Not really, I just thought it was worth telling. Besides, we can pass the time with a good story." Apollo mused.
"Very well, but Juvia insists that the story doesn't involve anything gory." Juvia requested.
"I can probably keep that promise. Anyways, here's the story of the first woman."
"OOOOOOOO! You're gonna tell that story?!" A very high pitched scream rang throughout the cabin of the train. Juvia was all too familiar with that scream. The day two fangirling shipper met. Dear Mavis, why was Aphrodite on this train?
"Calm down Aphrodite... you're attracting attention." That explains it. Aphrodite would be with her master.
"That's what Aphrodite's best at." Apollo sighed with a smile on his face. Juvia wasn't going to question why he was smiling. "A star in the spotlight..."
"Lucy...? Aphrodite?" Jellal looked over the seat. Knowing she was exposed and spotted, Lucy hung her head as the two of them approached our group. "You guys are on a mission together?"
"Master and Athena wanted us to come with you guys," Lucy answered as she slid into the spot next to Jellal. Apollo dramatically clutched his heart and gasped to signal something. Juvia cocked an eyebrow.
"You wound me, Lucy. Wouldn't you rather sit next to this?" Apollo asked as he flexed his muscles. While Juvia silently gave him props, Lucy sighed.
"Not until you put a shirt on. Aphrodite can sit next to you though." Lucy waved him off.
"Awwwwww, but I wanted to sit next to Jellal." The Goddess complained before giving off a lustful grin. "It's always the ones that cover their bodies are always the ones that are the most built. Shoot, he might be more than a God."
"Oh hell no! Take your shirt off Jellal!" Apollo commanded. Juvia gave him a confused side glance. Apollo, why does it matter who is more muscular?
"Er no, I have nothing to prove." Jellal simply replied. He covered his face with his coat to keep us from seeing the growing blush.
"It's okay bro," Herme comforted his friend as the messenger God propped himself over the seat behind us. Juvia could only imagine that he was kneeling in the seat, so he could be high enough to see us. "I know you're buffer than mortal."
"Bro..." Apollo's eyes dazzled.
"Bro..." Herme smiled.
"Okay, that enough your 'bro' moment." Persephone huffed. Jellal, Juvia, and Lucy did a double take. Dear Mavis, Persephone was stunning; well, she's always stunning. However, this was significantly different. Instead of her normally straight hair, Persephone had golden brown curls resting on shoulders. She added a touch of makeup to enhance her natural features. Altogether, Persephone seemed more posed and well-presented. "Aphrodite, a word of warning."
"What is it, sweetie?" Aphrodite tilted her to left a bit.
"Do not speak a word to my husband unless he addresses you, first," Persephone said sweetly as she aura darken considerably. "We wouldn't want any misunderstandings."
"You act like I'm gonna hit on him. I have only one man in my life." Aphrodite scoffed. The Gods snickered to Aphrodite's surprise. "What? What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing Aphro," Apollo let out a satisfied sigh. Persephone held back her smirk.
"...You're a hoe, Aphrodite. A married hoe." Hermes answered. Well shit...
"I am not a hoe." The Love Goddess scoffed as she folded her arms. From what Juvia heard and seen, Hermes may not be lying.
"Oh please, Aphro, it's easier to close Zeus's legs than to close your legs." Apollo took a jab at her.
"He-"
"Oh look, it's our stop!" Lucy shouted and pointed outside as a quick distraction. At least, she wasn't lying. Juvia could see the Grand Magic Game's stadium from her seat. Thank Mavis, we were here. Juvia did not want to know where this conversation was spill into. Juvia couldn't help but notice the friction between the Gods. If they fought like this in the past, how could they properly rule anything?
Taking the opportunity, Lucy forced Aphrodite's gate as Juvia did with Hermes. He did start that conversation. Although, it was Apollo who added fuel to the fire, so should Juvia force his gate too?
"That was a close one," Lucy sighed as the five of stepped off of the train. "Why on Earthland would you start a conversation like that?"
"Hey, I was backing up my bro, but it's the truth. All of the Gods know what Aphro be doing. Heps caught her and Aries hooking up so many times." Apollo answered.
"Aries? No way!" Lucy shook her head in disbelief. "Aries would never do something like that. There has to be another one."
"Aries the God of War? Yeah, he sleeps with Aphrodite all the time." Persephone stated. "Anyways, we're getting side-tracked. Where's Hades?"
"The machine said that he should be on the outskirts of the city." Jellal examined Hep's creation. "For some reason, I'm getting two reading; one's fainter than the other."
"Two? So another God landed here?" Juvia asked.
"It's possible. It happened with Persephone and me." Apollo shrugged. "Wanna split up and get them?"
"It would make sense, but there's an odd number," Juvia mentioned.
"Lucy and Apollo can get the weaker one while the rest of us get the stronger signal." Persephone snatched the machine from Jellal and sprinted off in the direction. Wasting little time, Jellal chased after her. Juvia and Lucy sweatdropped.
"That goddess is something else..." Lucy sweatdropped.
"Juvia agrees. Juvia should get going. Apollo!" Juvia warmed up. Apollo saluted. "Behave and listen to Lucy."
"Hey, I am a very responsible God," Apollo exclaimed. Juvia rolled her eyes and began her chase after those two.
Juvia was aware of her strengths and limits. She was amazing at stealth and being silent. However, Juvia realized in this moment she could barely keep an eye on where Jellal's blue hair in a crowd of people. Goodness, he seemed so agile and nimble compared to Juvia. He didn't even bump into anyone, yet he couldn't catch up to the Vegetation Goddess. Somehow, after much trial and error, Juvia finally caught up to the two of them.
"Persephone don't go running around like that." Jellal scolded. "We don't know who could be lurking around here."
"It's fine. I can handle myself as long I know my Hades is nearby." Persephone brushed his worrying stare off. "Come on! Let's search for his key."
This is the blind side of love. Juvia found that watching Persephone obsess over him was a tad bittersweet. She could help but remember what she's missing. Being aware of fact that someone loves you enough to become this sporadic about seeing them again. However,... Juvia doubts that she ever had been loved. Okay Juvia, it's time to reunited this couple. Hopefully, they won't be overly affectionate in public.
Juvia searched around the patches of grass while Jellal and Persephone the nearby trees. Juvia doubted that a key would get stuck in a tree, but she was not about place doubt in Persephone. Juvia was not going to do that while the goddess had home-field advantage. The water mage was not going to become a Venus Flytrap's daily watering, no-. Ah, something is blinding Juvia's vision. Separating two patches of grass, Juvia spotted two keys. Similar to the other Gods, this key had a platinum coating and a skull pressed inward as the symbol. The skull had two red jewels as eyes. The second one confused Juvia. It was golden with two blue weirdly written 'U's. The U's almost looked like they had very small wings.
"Hey Persephone, how well would skulls fit Hades?" Juvia asked as she picked up both keys. She pocketed the golden one for the moment. Juvia will have to ask Lucy about it when they meet up.
"Perfectly!" Persephone was next to Juvia in a split second. "Open his gate! Open his gate! Open his gate!"
"Um...Hades!" Juvia focused her magic on the key as a patch of grass died right in front of the two girls. With a poof of black fog, a considerably pale grown man appeared. Juvia will give Persephone props for marrying a handsome man. His features were defined and his chiseled chin was worth mentioning. He kept his bread well groomed and short. His shiny black hair was relatively short. He proudly wore a black cape and a similar metal breastplate as Athena, but Hades was wearing a pair of black sweatpants and sandals.
"Hmm?" Hade examined Juvia with a stare void of any empathy or sincerity. Dear Mavis, this is what Hermes and Apollo meant. Juvia could feel him judging every possible sin Juvia committed in her life with his long stare.
"Hades!" Persephone exclaimed as she jumped into his arms. His whole demeanor and aura shifted to all sunshine and rainbows. Juvia swears on her life that she saw the grass underneath them regrow.
"So this is infamous Hades..." Jellal mused as he stood next to Juvia with his arms folded. "You look kinda pale."
"Juvia feels like Juvia lost a few years off of her life." The water mage shuddered. "Juvia underestimated Hermes, Apollo, and Heps' words."
"Hehehe! You called." The trickster snickered. "Oh crap, it's Hades."
"Oh, Hermes...you've awakened as well?" Hades gently lowered his wife down as he turned his attention to the three of us.
"O-Oh yeah, this fine young lady named Juvia is my master as well as Persephone's." Hermes bowed and gestured in my direction. Hades's gaze returned to Juvia. Oh no, Hermes why did you do that?
"He-Hello Hades," Juvia gave a shy wave. Juvia felt her knees shaking as she avoided his endless stare. Juvia couldn't even comprehend this immense magic pouring out of him. He was Laxus's magic to the power of Master's magic. Dear Mavis, he could wipe out the country with ease. There's no one in Fiore could match him. Every foe and villain pales in comparison to the God of the Underworld.
"Hades, you're scaring her." Persephone puffed her cheeks. Persephone, this is not the time for you to be stubborn. Hades might send Juvia to the Underworld with the flick of his finger.
"Oh crap, I'm sorry." H-He apologized? Juvia looked up from the ground and saw an innocent smile on his smile...almost childlike. What? "Persephone says I can be menacing without trying. I'm sorry if I came off that way."
"Gotta give it to the God, he's the politest one so far," Jellal mentioned nonchalantly. How are you not scared?!
"Oh, it's okay. Juvia doesn't mind." Juvia somewhat apologized for showing her fear of the God. "Juvia's glad that she could reunite the two of you."
"And, I'm thankful for that." He bowed?! "I am in your debt, Juvia."
"O-Oh no, Hades does not need to pay Juvia back." Juvia immediately answered.
"It's rare for a God to be in debt. I would take it." Hermes whispered into Juvia's ear.
"Juvia won't waste your favor." Juvia chuckled.
"Very well, I understand. May I make my contract with you?" Hades politely asked. "Any special restrictions or requirements?"
"Nothing really. Juvia just asks that whatever damage caused by you must be covered by you. Juvia cannot afford to repair anything major." Juvia sweatdropped.
"Fair enough..." Hades smiled. "As the God of the Underworld, I will stand by your side until the end."
"So now that has been sorted out, should we get goin-"
BOOOOM!
The ground quaked as a cloud of smoke erupted from the opposite side of the city. In that moment, Juvia was temporarily blinded by a light as her pocket got slightly heavier. Which is weird because there's nothing Juvia own that should automatically teleport to Juvia. Unless... did Apollo return to his key form? Checking her suspicions, Juvia pulled out all the keys she had on her person. Along with the golden key, Juvia had Apollo's arrow key.
"Apollo?!" Juvia screamed. By accident, Juvia summoned the now injured God. He had two black eyes, blisters and bruises covering his body, his clothes were torn. The Sun God could barely stand without help from Hermes and Jellal. "Ap-Apollo, what happened?"
"Oh hey everyone, how's it going?" Apollo tried to chuckle, but it came out as a cough. "It looks like you got Hades without much trouble."
"Bro, you can't see two feet in front of you. Who the hell did this?" Hermes demanded.
"Ugh..." Apollo collapsed in their arms. There's no way Juvia can get any answers from Apollo when he's in this condition.
"Force Gate Closure." Juvia sighed. "Juvia suggests we check out the scene. Hopefully, Lucy is alright."
"Grab my hand Juvia," Jellal offered his left hand. He didn't take his eyes from the site of the explosion
"I'll have us there in a flash," Hermes did the same with Persephone and Hades as his eyes flickered between red and gold.
Juvia held on for dear life because it was extremely similar Erza and her cheetah print armor. The only real difference was there was no sharp corners or stairs. Thankfully, Jellal's magic protected them. In a matter of three minutes, Juvia and Jellal skidded to a stop. To Juvia's surprise, Lucy was unharmed, but the blonde was slightly uncomfortable with Aphrodite and this man with a golden skull helmet making out.
Wait, what?
Aphrodite, you're a married woman!
"That explains everything." Hades gave the couple a calculated glance. "Aries is most likely behind it."
"Oh goddamnit, I thought we would have more time before he awakened." Persephone rolled her eyes. "Juvia, please, do not make a contract with him."
"What's wrong Aries?" Juvia asked.
"There's a long list." Hades deadpanned.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARIES!" Hermes roared as he requiped his golden staff.
Raising his body off of Aphrodite, Juvia could see him a little better, and Juvia could not see how he was worth ruining a marriage. His body was covered in old scars and dried blood. His black hair was wild and unkempt with spots of dried blood in it. He had a scar crossing over his left eye. His hands were bandaged all the way to his elbows; his armor was covered in dents and scratches. Juvia assumed the golden spear next to them belonged to him.
"Oh Hermes, what's up? Long time no see!" Aries exclaimed. Was he obvious to the bloodlust coming off of Hermes?
"Piss off, what happened to Apollo?" Hermes narrowed his eyes.
"Huh? Oh, I taught him a lesson. Aphrodite told me what happened earlier." Dear Mavis, he admitted to the crime... "Did you wanna fight about it?"
"Oh, I'm about to kick your ass." Hermes cracked his knuckles.
"Bring it bitch." Aries sneered.
"You will not raise your fists in my presence," Hades warned them as an army of skeletons sprouted from the ground. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Ye-Yes sir," They saluted as the sweat dripped from their bodies. However, Juvia was slightly puzzled; wouldn't the God of War fight just about anyone? Or, is Hades that feared?... Juvia will go with the fearing Hades.
"And there goes the positivity in the air." Persephone sighed again. Juvia and Jellal gave her a questioning look. "Aries isn't well liked. We all have different reasons."
"That must be rough on him." Lucy gave him some consolation.
"Oh, it's deserved. In time, you'll see."
"Anyways..." Juvia sweatdropped. How was she going to change the subject because this was becoming rather hateful? That's right! Juvia found a golden key. "Lo-Lucy, Juvia has a question."
"Ask away." Lucy smiled as Juvia ran her hand through her pocket until she found the right key.
"Juvia remembers that Lucy has ten golden keys and Yukino has the rest, so Juvia was wondering," Juvia handed the key off. "Is this a zodiac key?"
"Wh-What?" Lucy started to tear up. Her legs gave in as she fell to the ground. Lucy gripped the key to her chest. "Ju-Juvia, where did you find this key?"
"It was with Hades's key. Is Lucy okay?" Juvia asked, slightly startled by her reaction. "Does Lucy recognize the key?"
"Yes," She wiped away a tear. Her lips grew into a small smile. "Thank you Juvia for finding this key. I-I owe you so much for this."
"It was nothing, but whose key is that?" Juvia asked as everyone except Aphrodite and Aries surrounded Lucy. Juvia could only assume that they went back to their make-out session.
"Aquarius, you're ba-back."
Juvia's Gods: Apollo (obtained). Persephone (obtained), Hephaestus (obtained), Hermes (obtained), Athena (obtained), Hades (obtained)
Lucy's Gods: Aphrodite (obtained)
Aries (awakened)
A/N: I thought it would be cool to wrap up all the loose ends in the series because there were some questions left unanswered. Like what the hell was Aquarius's key? I had to take a break because finals exist to mess with my schedule. I'll try to have Artemis awaken by the end of the year. Thank you for reading!