"What would happen to Juvia and Jellal if Gray x Erza became canon?"
This is Juvia and Jellal's story.
The train ride back was the quietest moment of the entire mission. Whether it was the realization of the magnitude of our situation or Apollo's indecisiveness, Juvia wasn't the most talkative person around. Juvia doesn't know. The mood wasn't the best. Then, there was the fact about the strength of Posideon.
Juvia wasn't certain about how they were going to survive this one.
Juvia sighed as she looked out the train's window. She could feel someone stare, but the water mage wasn't in the mood to converse with any guildmate or God. If Juvia had to place a bet on who she thought was trying to speak to her, Jellal would her guess. Jellal and Juvia's rel-friendship was an interesting one. Two people who have virtually nothing in common now found their peace with their former crushes... almost... somewhat... we're getting there, okay?! Juvia will admit that she no longer calls Gray her beloved anymore, and she doesn't need to rely on him for emotional comfort.
Juvia will also admit that she still can't exactly hold a conversation with the man, but she had nothing to say to Gray. Juvia could find more things to talk about with Laxus than with Gray! And, that saying something. Juvia gets grunts from Laxus. Anyways, what was Juvia talking about? That's right! Jellal was on her mind.
...Don't let Juvia's romantic past confuse you. That sentence was completely platonic.
Jellal is an interesting case. The man started out as someone Juvia would simply comfort in his time of need as he did with Juvia. Now... Juvia can't help but question where she would be without him. Had she not run across him that night, would Juvia be in a jealous state of rage? The rain woman seething with rage as her 'beloved' was stolen underneath her. With the number of opportunities Juvia had to attack Erza, would Juvia be banished from the guild? In Juvia's perspective, Jellal was a knight in training. A knight that stands up for her when Juvia's voice is lost. While he doesn't exactly protect her from every blow that comes her way, Jellal is there to pick up the pieces.
Juvia felt as if someone blessed her with this rel- friendship. It was an odd blue pairing, but a manageable one nonetheless. That's right! Juvia meant to help Jellal with Erza's whole wedding thing. She understands why he wants nothing to do with ceremony, but Erza sees him as a brother. Thus, this will be harder than Juvia could imagine.
Jellal freezes whenever Erza confronts him, and Juvia understands that Erza means no harm with her actions. With Aphrodite in a frenzy, Erza is just trying to get that ring in the best way possible. Then, can anyone blame Erza for wanting everyone she loves on that stage with her? Juvia couldn't.
And, that's what makes this so hard. Juvia didn't even have a proper excuse in mind for Erza. Yet, Juvia wished to ease Jella a bit. But, how?
"Lucy... Juvia wishes to cash in her favor," It struck Juvia like a lightning bolt. If Juvia could phrase this correctly, both of them could escape being apart of the wedding. "Juvia is going to ask Lucy to do Juvia a huge favor."
"Sure Juvia," Lucy's voice remained sweet even though the pain on her face evident. Not from Juvia's statement, but the beating they took from the cyclops. Juvia hoped that was the case... "What is it?"
"Juvia wants to convince Erza to take Jellal out of the wedding. Could Lucy lend a hand?" Juvia laced her fingered together in her lap as she stared downward. She didn't need to look at the pair; the stillness in the air made their shock obvious. Taking a breath, Juvia continued. "Juvia isn't expecting Lucy to agree at this second, but-"
"What brought this on, Juvia?" Jellal narrow eyes bored a hole in Juvia's head. Understandable to an extent, Juvia never warned him about this plan.
"Juvia sees how Jellal still looks at Erza. Your heart jumps into your throat, and Jellal freezes. The wound is still open for Jellal; Juvia can see the pain in your eyes." Juvia wiped a tear away as she held back the rain. "Juvia doesn't mind helping Jellal out."
"Juvia... you're making it sound like Jellal had a crush on Erza." Lucy glanced at Juvia with a confused expression. Juvia and Jellal went silence as they hoped realization would fill in the blanks. "Juvia?"
"The night of their engagement... I wanted to ask Erza on a date, but... Juvia broke the news to me." Jellal sighed. "We spent the night cheering each other up. We even cleaned out Juvia's collection of Gray dolls."
"Juvia thought we agreed not to bring them back up ever again."
"Neither of us want to be in the wedding because we're still trying to get over the bride and groom. Yet, it's difficult to say 'no' to Erza." Jellal gave her the short-handed explanation. Stunned into silence, Lucy slumped in her seat with a dazed expression on her face. "However, you don't have to do what Juvia asked you. I'll manage. Instead, could you convince Erza to swap Juvia with Cana?"
"Oh no, Juvia could never ask Jellal do something like that. Besides, Juvia and Gray are not on speaking terms, and Juvia can fare against the others fairly well. Jellal is more than welcome to take a pass on the wedding." Juvia sweatdropped. Was Jellal not getting Juvia's massive hint? This was his chance to avoid the whole matter altogether. What was he doing?
"Neither is Erza and me, but it would be wrong if I took this chance from you. Besides, your wish should be spent on yourself." Jellal countered quickly.
"Guys!" Lucy yelled in a hushed tone as she stared at the two of us. "It's not even guaranteed that I can get Erza to change her mind. I can only promise my absolute best as her maid of honor... Oh yeah, Juvia! Erza wanted me to thank you for breaking up that fight Gray was in."
"Oh, it was nothing. Juvia didn't want Erik killing to anyone, so she had to intervene." Juvia sweatdropped. To be completely honest, Juvia forgot about the whole incident with everything else going around her. With her life being threatened by every mission, the guild fights tend to fall to the back of Juvia's head.
"Erik? Erza said it was Natsu who was fighting Gray. Erza's usually the one who breaks the fights, but she appreciates that you tried on her behalf." Lucy recalled her version of the memory, but that only confused Juvia more. She was almost certain that Natsu and Gray haven't fought in the past couple of days. Gray just came back from house arrest, and Juvia only remembered the one fight with Erik.
"Er Lucy, who told Erza about that one?" Juvia asked, but she had a good guess about who would lie to Erza. That only raises more questions.
"Gray, of course," Lucy answered. That's what Juvia was afraid of. Gray probably lied about how he was placed under house arrest too, but he was smart about it. Erza wouldn't blink twice about a fight between those two polar opposites. It was a normal routine, but a fight between Gray and Erik? Now, that would raise some questions. Why? That would be the first question. The only thing that can be an answer would Gray's secret.
Ugh, everything connects back to Gray's secret.
Well, not everything. This God conquest was completely separate from Gray.
"Juvia, you told me that it was Cobra and Gray who fought," Jellal cocked his eyebrow. Oh don't give Juvia that look, she's guilty of nothing. Almost like a miracle or pure coincidence, the train pulls into Magnolia.
"Juvia believes we will get our answers once we arrive at the guild." Juvia stood up from the seat.
The walk back to the guild was quiet as each of us thought about something different. Juvia couldn't vouch for Lucy or Jellal, but Juvia could get Gray out of her head. And no, this wasn't one of her romantic thoughts. Juvia couldn't help to wonder what Gray would gain from lying to Erza and hiding a supposed secret. Yes, he might be avoiding a potential beating from his future wife, but was the secret worth Erik's life? Gray had the intent to murder Cobra throughout the fight. Was the secret connected to the reason why Gray won't look Juvia in the eye or was that simply her own delusions getting the best of her? Whatever it was, Juvia couldn't help but question how far Gray was willing to go to protect himself.
"We're back!" Lucy shouted as the three of us entered the guild.
"Yes, that would be everyone," Master sighed as stood up from the bar. "I need Lucy, Juvia, Jellal, Mira, Levy, Erza, Laxus, and Freed in my office for a moment."
"Y-Yes master," Juvia stuttered. This was an odd group to summon. Nonetheless, Juvia dropped her- oh that's right. Her belongs got destroyed in the process in the last fight. Ugh, this was going to be a pattern wasn't it? The eight of us formed a line and followed our master into his chambers. Master signaled Levy and Freed to make runes around the room to keep the dragonslayer's enhanced hearing out. Or, that's at least Juvia assumed was the reason.
"What do you need from us, Master?" Levy asked, lacing her fingers together in her lap.
"Is this about the S-class trials?" Erza folded her armed, ready to perform any action.
"I know you all are busy, so I will keep this brief." Master sighed rather heavily.
"What is it, Master?" Freed asked with a worried look. "You can take all the time in the day if necessary."
"I request a favor from you all,"
"Anything you wish Master Makarov," Jellal added on.
"I need you all to keep the peace when I announce my retirement. Be the strong men and women, I know you all grew up to be." He said solemnly. Master, what are you saying? It's too early to talk about retirement.
"So this is why you called me in to help you with that project," Mira smiled thinly. "It was never a simple question, huh?"
"Wh-When did you plan on retiring?" Lucy hiccupped as she held back a tear.
"After Erza's wedding, I still wish to walk my daughter down the aisle." Master smiled as he stared the scarlet woman.
"That's so close though! Master, you can't retire." Levy gasped after she counted the number of days left.
"I have prolonged this long enough, my children. As the guild master, it is my duty to secure the security of the guild." Master Makarov looked out the lone window in his office. "The war with Zeref has proven that I must provide a secure future for you all. I wish for this guild to outlive me and not to die along with me. It is so much that a single moment in time. First wished to Fairy Tail be an endless book of adventures. I can't bring it to an end with my death. That would be a disgrace to the guild's name."
...Master Makarov...
This man, no our father, was stepping down? Although we all came to the guild at different instances, we all came to respect Master as a father most of us didn't have. Either as orphans or former enemies, he accepted us no matter what we did. When the world turned their backs to Juvia and Gajeel, he held the guild's door open for us. When Lucy's father hired a guild to attack Fairy Tail, he didn't give in. When Erza could only see half the world at a time, he gave her the other half. When the world called Mira a monster, he was the one that showed her the kinder side of life. When Freed rebels along with Laxus, the master was the first to give Freed a second chance. When Laxus asked for forgiveness, Master didn't bat an eye. When Levy's team was hung, Master declared war with the intent to avenge his children. When the world shunned Jellal for his past, Master aided him in every instance possible. AND HE WANTS US TO ACCEPT THIS DECISION?
How are we suppose to let go of our father so easily? Th-There won't be another like him. Master Makarov was the only one they could turn to for advice. Juvia couldn't hold it back anymore. Along with Mira and Lucy, the three of them dropped to the floor and broke into a crying mess. Erza gripped her skirt as a tear dropped. Her knuckles turned white. Levy cried into Freed's arms as Laxus tried to comfort Mira and Lucy; Laxus silently allowed his tears to drop. Jellal pulled Juvia in a tight hug as she screamed into his chest.
"You were an amazing guild master," Jellal stated. "There won't be another one."
"I am grateful for the praise, Jellal. Thank you for keeping a level head." Master nodded once.
"While I wasn't in the guild as long as the others, I do understand where they're coming from," Jellal noted. "They respect and care about you more than any other guild I've come across."
"Yes... I only pray that this ends well." He sighed as he looked around the room. "I cannot avoid the topic any longer. With how Athena is stressing the level of power Cronus possesses, I must plan for the worse."
"Plan for the worst and expect the best," Jellal scratched the back of his head. "I would hate to ask this, but who did you have in mind as your inheritor?"
"Laxus was the first I considered," What? Laxus... is the next guild master? "That depends on whether he wishes to fulfill the position. If not, I will consider anyone in the room currently."
Wh-What? This is going to fast! Ju-Juvia could never be a potential guild master. She wasn't even capable of filling the Master's shoes. What would the guild even think?
"Gramps, yo-you want me to be the next master? Bu-But, I tried overthrowing you and almost killed the city?!" Laxus roared.
"Is that a no?" Master cut through his words skillfully.
"N-No, but why me? Mira's your right man advisor."
"That is true, but I suggest you Laxus above everyone else." Mira wiped a tear away from her eye. "While you did everything you mention, you did save Team Natsu from Hades and didn't accept your father's request, right? You've grown more than you allow yourself to believe Laxus. Not only that,"
Mira leaned against Laxus's biceps.
"I know the records like the back of my hand, so I will also be your right-hand advisor. We'll be spending a lot of time together." She lightheartedly winked.
"Damn vixen," Laxus blushed. "I'll do it for ya Gramps."
"Ahh, what a time to be young," Master Makarov nodded as blood splattered onto his blanket. Some things never change, huh? "Thank you all for your support."
"We will continue to provide our support to you master." Erza saluted.
"That is very reassuring. That is why Laxus will accompany each team on a mission of their choice." Master had a hint of mischevious in his voice. "I am lifting Cobra's restriction as of this moment. I am the leader of each team to decide the mission."
"So, that would be Levy for Team Shadow Gear. Mira for her, Elfman, and Lissana." Freed recalled. "I assume Jellal is the leader for his team, and that would leave-"
"Natsu... for Team Natsu," Lucy's face turned completely white as she dreaded this mission. "Oh no,"
"You damn old man, are you trying to start me out with debt?" Laxus roared. "Natsu can destroy a fucking city with one of his rampages!"
"That is why you will be handling all of the paperwork for these missions." Master's eyes glistened with pure evil. "You should become very familiar with how to pay for damages and apologize. Now, how was the mission?"
"Er... Juvia, Jellal, and Lucy found the keys as well as Aquarius's key." Juvia chuckled as she prepared herself for the worst part. "However, we were attacked."
"By what?" Athena puffed into the room. Her tone let Juvia know there's no beating around the bush allowed. "Specific details are required."
Why is Juvia being commanded by her own key?
"Cyclops and what Hades believes to be Poseidon."
"Posideon is...?" Laxus cocked an eyebrow.
"My brother and the God of the Sea." Hades puffed beside Athena. "I am Hades, the husband of Persephone and the God of the Underworld."
"Th-That magic power. It's so familiar to Zeref's magic." Levy stuttered as she back away from the God.
"I might not know who this Zeref character is, but I warn you. My brother is on my level of power and nearly impossible to defeat in water."
"But, why would Poseidon be a threat? He's aware of the consequences of disobeying Zeus." Athena pondered on the thought.
"Zeus is..."
"Dear Zeus, will someone brief this man on the situation?" Athena facepalmed. "I can't stop for every question."
You haven't answered one question yet.
"I believe someone else is trying to collect the five keys. With Aphrodite and myself underlock, that would leave Zeus and Hera up for grasp. When Juvia and Apollo came across Artemis, she was clearly brainwashed." Hades mentioned. "Now, we still don't know if Artemis is okay to send out at the moment, but I theorize that she snapped out of it."
"So there's a chance we can do the same with Poseidon?" Jellal asked.
"We would have to train our asses off to beat him, but, yes, there is a chance," Athena answered. "However, we can't allow our opponent to capture Hera or Zeus. Hera is the fourth strongest out of the five required keys, but she's vital for controlling Zeus."
"What's the ranking?"
"Least to greatest? Aphrodite, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, and then Zeus with a gap bigger than this country."
"If Hade's stronger than Poseidon, can't he beat him?" Levy tilted her head to the side.
"That's if Poseidon isn't in the water. If they're smart, Poseidon should be near the coast every day." Hades rubbed his temples.
"That's a clue to where he might be, so there's a start to that. Hades, do you have anything that might belong to Hera or Zeus? We could track them with Hep's machine." Athena asked.
"Nothing really, I rarely interacted with any God except for Persephone and Hermes. I would check with Hermes since he might have one of Zeus's love letters."
"That is a logical possibility," Athena thought to herself as she wandered out of the room.
"I wouldn't mind a little key searching," Mira hummed. "It would be a good warm-up for Natsu's mission."
"Then, that's official. Now, who's willing to fight an all-powerful water God?" Hades clapped his hands together.
Juvia's Gods: Apollo (obtained). Persephone (obtained), Hephaestus (obtained), Hermes (obtained), Athena (obtained), Hades (obtained)
Lucy's Gods: Aphrodite (obtained)
Aries (awakened), Artemis (awakened), Poseidon (? ? ?)
A/N: Whelp, this chapter is finally finished. Sorry, I've been working on writing at least five chapter ahead for this story and another one I'm coming out with. Now, who would you think is a good team to fight Poseidon? The only restrictions are that it's a team of four and no repeats (i.e. a team of four Natsu's.) That's just insanity.