Sparks Fly - Laxus Dreyar

4. Seven Years

Aria wasn't sure how it happened, and she didn't care. The only thing that mattered was that they were headed back for Gramps.

They heard Gramps scream, but it turned into laughter.

For the first time, I was finally acting like a real parent...
Now, I have no more regrets

They watched as he finally closed his eyes, letting himself be pushed to the ground. Then Natsu went ahead, and Gramps opened his eyes. Natsu dodged the beast's tail, leaping onto Acnologia and Gramps' eyes opened wider.

"Give our old man back!"

"Natsu...!"

And then, Gramps was small again as he was tossed to the side, Natsu was still on Acnologia, and Erza and Aria were in front of Gramps.

"Erza, Aria...you too." Aria turned to smile at him.

"I was against this, you know," Laxus spoke.

"For some reason," Aria rolled her eyes. She had finally gotten ahold of herself, and at this point she was just embarrassed.

"Shut up," Laxus looked to Aria with a softer glance. "But do you really think they're the kind of people who can run away and leave an old geezer behind? It's your guild, after all." With that, Erza ran forward.

"Charge!" Everyone ran forward at Erza's command.

"Old geezer," Aria giggled, wiping her nose again. "Well, if I wasn't being such a pussy before, I would've manned up and not have left in the first place," Aria barely finished her sentence before running after Erza and the others.

"You idiots..." Aria swore she heard Gramps start to tear up as she attacked Acnologia with all her power. She was in her element now, just like she was on a job with all of her friends.

"All of you! Muster up everything we got!" Aria grinned as she heard Laxus, with all his lightning. She called storm clouds together, summoning more lightning for Laxus as she simultaneously shot water and high speeds of wind at the beast. "Combine it with my lightning and we're gonna give this thing our compliments! Let's show him what Fairy Tail is made of!"

"Laxus!" There were a chorus of yells, Aria being one of them as she willed herself not to tear up.

"Hey, Natsu! Make sure you dodge this!" Aria laughed almost manically as she summoned up all of her power.

"H-h-h-hold on...!"

"There's no time for that, Natsu," Aria whispered, still smiling.

"Laxus, now's your chance," Erza shouted.

"Hey!"

"Raging Bolt!"

Everyone released the energy they'd been building up.

"This damn monster... It's still smiling even after taking on all our attacks...It's all up to you guys, now! Go Natsu!"

After the three dragon slayers sent their attacks, the beast was encased in water.

"Did we succeed?"

"No."

"Gildarts..."

"It isn't using the strength it used when it fought me. It's just playing with you!"