Woah, did I actually make it two weeks in a row? Weird. Also, sometimes you gotta gush. That recent My Hero Academia episode. God tier. Anyway!

Enjoy!

"Luna! Luna! Where are you?! LUNA!"

Despite his calls, Natsu didn't hear a peep in the destroyed city around him. Growling, he whipped around in a circle and did another sweep before running off again, still searching for his daughter. After the blast he'd lost her, and he didn't have a clue what to do.

"Natsu!" Despite hearing Gray behind him, Natsu didn't look back at him. "Natsu for God sake, turn around! Natsu!" Even though he wanted to keep running, Natsu finally slid to a halt and turned to look back at his friend, making a face at him.

"What?!" He demanded. "I need to find Luna!" Gray frowned deeply at this, looking unimpressed.

"I get that, but have you looked at yourself?" He demanded. "You're bleeding pretty bad!" Natsu growled and wiped at his forehead, shaking the blood oof with a swing of his arm. He knew he'd been cut, and honestly he felt pretty lightheaded, but he couldn't stop. He needed to find Luna.

"I can't stop!" He shouted. "We both know this is about her! We need to make sure she's safe!"

"We can't save her if you die on your feet, you idiot!" Gray retaliated, pulling Natsu back before he could run off again. "You're about to collapse!"

"I'm fine!" Natsu roared, pushing Gray back. "Help me or piss off! This isn't helping anyone!" Gray only frowned at this, still looking unimpressive.

"I'll help, don't worry." He said. "I told Warren to contact us if she makes it to the airship, so we'll know when to stop looking." Natsu looked back in the direction they'd come from, watching as blue flairs soared up into the sky from the airship. After the blast, Jellal had swooped in and was taking survivors into the airship and helping them anyway they could. He'd left Lucy and Luke there, promising he'd get Luna back. And he would.

"Let's go."

It had barely taken them any effort at all.

Only a few minutes had passed since Rocky had defended Luna, and now as he lay there on the ground, he couldn't fathom how he was supposed to help her.

"Was that really all you had?" He heard Ares ask as the armoured man walked over to him. "Seriously now, where did all your bravado go?" This question was accompanied by a kick to the stomach, rolling Rocky over on his back. He coughed in an attempt to somehow clear up the pain he felt in his body, but of course that did nothing. Coughing was going to clear up full body pain.

"Leave the fool on the ground," Demeter said as she descended towards the pair on vines and flowers she controlled. "He's clearly just trying to waste our time. We need to prioritise the capture."

"Can't you do that?" Ares asked as he looked back at her. "Kid might try and stop us again."

"I was tasked to come with you because you're more combat efficient," Demeter said, looking upset. "Besides, you saw her burn that vine that grabbed her. I won't be able to capture her without you."

"And you're one of The Twelve?" Ares demanded, making Demeter's frown deepen. "Fine, we leave the boy. Looks like it's your lucky day kiddo. You get to live." Rocky didn't reply as Ares sheathed his sword, walking after Demeter down the way Luna had left. Every step resounded in Rocky's skull, making him grit his teeth.

I have to stand up! If I don't they're going to find her! Even worse, they might get to the airship too! I can't...I can't let them go!

Using everything he had in him, Rocky managed to get to his feet. Raising his hands, he summoned his magic and manipulated the earth, raising a circle of stone around himself and the two Olympians present. Both stopped dead in their tracks as the walls came up, before turning back to him as he panted.

"...What did I say?" He demanded. "If you want her...You...You have to go through me!" He watched as both turned to each other and communicated silently, before Ares stepped forward and took his blade out once more.

"Do you want to die?" Ares asked. "You're not who we want. Lay down and pretend you never saw us."

"Never," Rocky hissed. "If I did that, I'd be betraying my guild. And I won't do that!" Summoning more of his already waning strength, Rocky sent a rippling wave of earth towards the pair. He watched closely as Demeter raised herself up with vegetation to avoid it, and Ares dodged to the side effortlessly. He needed to stay calm and evaluate his situation. If he didn't, he was going to die, and they'd capture Luna. And he wasn't going to let that happen.

From what he could tell, and from what he'd heard, Demeter was not one for combat. She avoided him in their tussle earlier, and she'd already outright stated she'd come with Ares as more of a support. So that meant Ares was the bigger problem between the two. Sadly, that gap was not one Rocky could just bridge on a whim. Ares outclassed him, he already knew that.

Unless he...

No, not yet. He didn't need to do that yet.

Deciding he needed to act, Rocky sent another wave at Ares, who sliced through it this time instead of dodging it. Rocky used this to his advantage, sprinting towards his enemy as fast as he could and gathered boulders around his arms as he did so. Here, using Rock Hammer Arms, he had more faith. This was his ace move, he had to make a dent somehow.

He wasn't surprised when Ares blocked his downward swing with his sword. The sounds of steel and earth clanging off of each resounded around the makeshift arena, making Ares grin.

"Seems like you reignited that fire of yours, eh boy?" He demanded, shoving Rocky back with one mighty swing. He couldn't afford to let the gap widen though, Demeter was still here. She'd only make that gap impossible to get around again. Acting quickly, Rocky raised a wall of earth between her and himself, making her sigh from the other side.

"Such unsightly magic," he heard her say, vines wrapping around the top of the wall. Slowly the woman was raised up, and she sat down on the edge of the wall. "Hurry up and finish this Ares, we have something we need to attend to."

"I'm working on it," Ares replied as he twirled his sword around in his hand, raising his boar shield with a grin. "Boy wants a gladiator match, he'll get one." Rocky barely had time to react as Ares rushed headlong into him, a sideways swing looking to lop his head clean off. He barely got his hands up in time to block the attack, the sword clanging off of the stone. This didn't deter Ares, who continued his assault mercilessly as Rocky did his best to block every attack. However, with each swing he heard the boulders around his arms cracking the waning under the strain of the swings. He needed to do something, and fast. Ares swung once more, and this time the blade impaled itself in the stone, moving ever so close to Rocky's real arms. He needed to go something and fast.

"Why is it you fight, boy?" Ares asked, breaking Rocky's concentration. Rocky stared at the man in confusion, who grinned at him.

"What the hell does that mean?" He demanded as he pushed as hard as he could against him. Ares smile darkened at this.

"You must have known we've been watching for such a long time," he said. "What reason does Rocky have to save Nashi Dragneel?"

In this moment, as Rocky's concentration truly broke, Ares' sword cleaved through the stone and drove itself into Rocky's forearm, causing him to roar in pain as he recoiled, trying his hardest to put distance between the pair. As he cradled his wounded arm, Ares only laughed.

"The bully becomes the saviour!" He said, voice sarcastic and mocking. "What exactly was your plan, boy? To start over? To become a friend instead of an enemy? Such a confusing boy you are." Rocky gritted his teeth as Ares' words echoed in his ears, eating away at his already fragile self-worth. He knew it didn't make sense, him saving her of all people. Hell, even after they had made up a year before and she had forgiven him, it still didn't make much sense. Why was he here?

"I live every day hoping it's my last!"

Those words had never stopped haunting him, not since the day Natsu had come home. He had caused another person to think that. He had broken that person so thoroughly. Why? Childish jealousy? He could barely even remember anymore. Whatever the reason he'd used for so many years, it wasn't a good one.

All he knew was that he, for so many years, had hated Nashi Dragneel.

"Here we are," The man said as they came to a stop. Rocky's eyes widened as he stared up at the gigantic building before him, majestic in it's framing against the sky.

"This is the guild?!" He asked, dropping his one bag of belongings at his feet in surprise. This was a castle!

"Sure is," The man replied. "Everyone is welcome in Fairy Tail. Especially a child with no home." Rocky knew these words weren't meant to hurt him, but the wounds of losing his family were still very fresh. But no, he couldn't cry. This was a new start for him, he didn't want to start off by crying.

"Thank you for taking me here." Rocky said as he smiled up at the man who had taken him to Magnolia. From what he had gathered the man was a trader who used to visit Rocky's home before...Before it disappeared.

"It's no problem, kid." The man said as he ruffled Rocky's hair. Take care, son. I'm sorry about your family." Nodding, Rocky watched his last known ally walk away from him down the street, before slowly looking back at the giant building before him. All of a sudden, he was beset upon by nerves. Would he truly find a new family here? Would they accept him as easily as he was told?

Only one way to find out.

Steeling his nerves, Rocky entered the building and was immediately beset upon by the smell of alcohol. A child as young as him shouldn't have recognised the smell, but it wasn't unknown to him. On all sides he saw people sitting around talking and laughing, just enjoying each others company. The more he saw, the more excited he felt. This place seemed like so much fun!

"Hey, who're you?" Jumping at this new voice, Rocky turned to find two children standing beside him. One was a boy with short maroon coloured hair, blue shorts and a blue shirt. Hiding behind him was a girl with pink hair and brown eyes, who watched him warily over her friends shoulder. Overall, they looked about Rocky's age, maybe a little older.

"Um, I'm Rocky." He replied as he turned to them. "I, um, came to join." The boys face lit up at this.

"To join?!" He asked. "Ah that's awesome! Don't even worry, Gramps lets everyone in if he likes em!" The boy smiled even wider, before making a face. "Oh my names Drake by the way. I shoulda started with that." Silence fell on the trio, before Drake made a face and looked over his shoulder. The pink haired girl only stared at him in confusion.

"Well what are ya waiting for?!" Drake said loudly, making the girl wince and Rocky jump. "Introduce yourself, Nashi!" The girl looked frightened by his outburst, but nodded and looked back at Rocky.

"M-My names Nashi Dragneel," she said. Drake rolled his eyes at this, looking quite upset. "I-It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Don't mind her, she's just shy." he said, making Nashi blush and hide in his back as she mumbled something. "Now, follow me! I'll get ya to Gramps and we'll get ya a guild mark!" Drake marched off into the guild hall, Nashi glued to his side. Were they siblings, perhaps? They seemed quite close. But most of all, they seemed nice.

Perhaps that man was right. Maybe this place could be a knew home.

"I don't pretend to understand myself," Rocky hissed. "All I know is that I won't let you take her." Ares just rolled his eyes at this, clearly unimpressed.

"Than you die here, in vain." He said. Rocky's eyes widened as Ares rushed him, sword poised to strike him down. He barely had enough time to coat his arms with more stones, blocking the attacks as best he could. But he wasn't done, he wasn't going to lose. Acting before Ares could recover, Rocky reached out and grabbed the blade with his hand, grinning at Ares' surprised look.

"I won't let you," he said. "I warned you!" With as much strength as he could muster, he pulled Ares close and delivered a massive punch to the mans exposed face, sending him straight into the dirt. The impact was closely accompanied by a cloud of dust that rose from the ground, disturbed by Rocky's strength. With another swift movement Rocky drove his knee onto Ares neck, effectively strangling the man. Kicking away the mans shield, he kept his knee close as he summoned earth to rise, enclosing around Ares' body and tightening. Taking a deep breath Rocky stood and looked up at Demeter, who watched him with mild curiosity.

"Am I next?" She asked bemusedly.

"Depends," Rocky replied as he wiped blood from his mouth. "Are you going to go after Luna?"

"I'm not quite sure who that is, darling." She replied, making Rocky growl.

"You damn well know who I'm talking about." He replied. "What are you even after, why're you going through so much for her?" Demeter sighed and tilted her head, allowing her chestnut hair to cascade down her shoulders.

"Seems you too are uninformed," she said. "Such a travesty. Maybe if it wasn't so hidden we wouldn't have to resort to such measures. Eh, who am I kidding. You lot wouldn't have agreed to help us."

"Help with what?" Rocky asked. "If it's such a big deal you're willing to go this far, perhaps we could." Demeter only smiled at this.

"Perhaps you should focus first on your battle." She said.

Before Rocky could turn to defend himself, a sword ran itself through his stomach.

After all this time, he'd finally done it. He'd worked so hard for this moment!

He'd completed his first job!

It had taken so long for Laxus to clear him for jobs, but he'd finally done it. Naturally he wasn't being sent of massive quests unfit for a child, but he was still doing good work and he couldn't be more excited! Making it back home, Rocky proudly entered the doors and marched up to Mirajane, who handled the jobs.

"Well well, looks who's back!" Mira said as he approached with a smile. "How did it go, Rocky?"

"Great!" He replied. "I did everything the client asked for! I even added a nice detail to his chimney!" Mira laughed at this as she took the flyer back from Rocky, opening her folder to put in for him.

"You're the greatest rock mage here, Rocky!" She said as she reached forward to ruffle his hair. "And the only one, but still the best! How about I get our carpenter a victory meal?"

"Yes please!" Sitting down, Rocky waited happily for his meal, humming a little tune to himself. Looking over, he could see Nashi with a slip of paper in her hand, Laxus looking over her shoulder.

"Whatcha got there, kid?" He asked, making Nashi flinch as she hid the sheet from him.

"N-Nothing!" Nashi replied as she turned to face him with a weak smile. Laxus just rolled his eyes and hoisted the girl up, twisting and turning with her as she laughed and tried to keep the paper from him. Rocky could only watch with weak interest, the close scene bringing pain to his chest. His father used to do that to him.

"Got it!" Laxus shouted as he separated the girl from her paper, which made her cry out. "What's wrong?"

"Don't look it's embarrassing!" Nashi shouted, unable to reach the paper above Laxus' head even though he held her up at chest level.

"Why?" Laxus asked as he looked up. "You're a great little drawer! Maybe I should put it up on the fridge!"

"That's so cheesy please don't!"

"I think I will." Discarding Nashi like she didn't matter, Laxus walked over to the fridge behind the counter, pinning up the strange drawing of what looked like Nashi with red crayon all around her body. He pinned it up as the girl whined at him, glaring as he grinned down at him.

"I'm telling my Mom," Nashi threatened, running off. Laxus only laughed at this threat, also walking away. As he did he took notice of Rocky, and Rocky smiled up at him. Perhaps he could tell him about his success out in the field!

"Nice to see ya Rocky," Laxus said in passing, patting the boys hair as he walked away. Rocky turned in his seat to watch, frowning as he did so. It was always the same, he didn't know why he expected any different. No one paid him any mind. Why, though? Had he done something?

Deep down he knew it was childish, but as he watched Nashi tattle on Laxus, he couldn't help but feel resentment. What had she done recently anyway? He'd never seen her in the field. Could she even do magic? Probably not, he'd never seen it.

But surely this was just a one off. After all, once he started doing more important jobs they'd notice, right?

Rocky stumbled as the blade was ripped from his insides, blood spurting from the opening it had created. He looked over his shoulder weakly to find Ares smirking at him, flicking the blade to get his blood off of it.

"Should pay more attention to your enemy, kid." He said. "Did you really think that was going to finish me off?"

No of course he hadn't. But he hadn't even heard the man get up from his makeshift prison. Stumbling backwards as Ares walked towards Demeter, Rocky felt his vision fading as his body tried to find a way to save him. Not much it could do, though. Stomach injuries like this were fatal.

Collapsing to his knees, Rocky did his best to keep himself upright. He couldn't fall, he had to keep fighting. If he didn't, these two were going to catch up to Luna. He couldn't allow that.

You have to get up, damn it! Remember why you're here! Remember what you said back then! You remember don't you?! You know what you have to do!

Rocky stared down at the closed coffin, dead silent just like everyone else in the building. That was too be expected, nobody really wanted to speak up at such a depressing funeral.

He still couldn't even believe it. She was dead, Nashi was dead. Gone like the wind. How had this happened? How could they have allowed this to happen?

It didn't matter how many times he asked, nobody could give him an answer that satisfied him. Perhaps because the only answer that would satisfy him would be one that said she could be brought back. Despite this and the cries of his fellow guildmates, that wasn't what upset him the most.

That was his inability to keep the promise he'd made to himself.

He never once expected Nashi to forgive him that day on Tenrou Island. The fact that she had solidified to Rocky she was an incredible person, one he'd spent so long tearing down for nothing more than childish resentment and jealousy. Ever since that day, he'd promised himself that he'd find a way to make it up to not just her, but the guild that raised him as well. Fairy Tail had taken him in when he had nobody and given him a place to sleep, and he'd turned around and nearly driven someone to suicide. How could he have done that? How could he have let it go on for so long? He had to find a way to fix what he'd done, and he'd spent months trying to find a way. But despite this, the answer alluded him. How did you make something like this up to somebody? Rocky had taken years of Nashi's childhood away from her, some of the only years she'd had. Now she was gone, and couldn't experience life without Rocky looming over her.

Gritting his teeth, Rocky tried his best to keep calm as his emotions went ballistic. He'd ruined her life, the short one she'd had, and yet she still found a way to forgive him that day. How could she be so forgiving? So understanding?

As he thought, Rocky soon realised what it was he could do. Turning away from the coffin, his eyes scanned the room before he finally found what he was looking for. Standing near the center of the room was Laxus, who was speaking with Jura of Lamia Scale. Good, that made things easier. Before he left, he turned back to the coffin with a frown.

"I'm sorry, Nashi." He said. "I'll make this right."

With this, he walked away from the coffin towards the two masters, who took notice of him as he approached.

"Hi Rocky," Laxus greeted as he came close. "How're you today?"

"I could be better," Rocky replied hollowly. "You?" Laxus just mumbled something gruffly, which was pretty much how Rocky felt as well. "It's nice to meet you, Master Jura."

"Just Jura is fine," The big man replied. "It's nice to meet you as well, Rocky." Rocky offered him a weak smile at this, grateful the men were in a somewhat good mood. That made his question even easier to ask.

"I'm sorry to interrupt like this, but I had a question I wanted to ask." He said, gaining both men's attention once more. Before either could say anything, he bowed curtly towards Jura, taking a deep breath. "Would you do me the pleasure it training me in the art of Earth Magic, Jura? You're a Wizard Saint, I'm sure you'd be a good teacher."

Neither Master said anything for a moment, remaining quiet. Rocky remained in his bowed position, waiting with baited breath. He could only hope for the best at this point.

"You wish to get better at Earth Magic?" Jura asked. Rocky stood back up and nodded, making Jura smile. "I would be honoured to help teach you." Rocky couldn't help it as a smile came over his face,

"Thank you so much."

"Rocky!" Rocky paused as his name was called out, turning to find Terra standing next to her dad at the entrance to the gym. Lowering the Earth pillar beneath him, he hopped over to the pair and smiled at them.

"Hey guys," he said. "What's up?" Terra smiled at him.

"We just wanted to tell you you've been doing great," she said. "Past few months you've worked so hard on all the techniques we've taught you."

"So I figure it's about time we send you back home," Jura completed for his daughter. "I've taught you as best I can, the rest comes from practical battlefield experience."

"What?" Rocky asked, confused. "That's seriously it? No end all be all spell?"

"Well we already established that you need to work on Rumbling Mt. Fuji," Terra replied. "But other than that-"

"There's got to be something!" Rocky replied. "Come on, tell me! One more spell, one more thing I could use! Show me the strongest spell you have!"

"I will do no such thing," Jura replied sternly, frowning at Rocky. "And I won't teach it to you, either. It's not practical."

"What is it?" Rocky demanded. "I don't care, I'll learn it!"

"No, absolutely not." Jura replied. This only made Rocky angry, as he knew full well what he knew right now wasn't going to be enough.

Not enough to beat them.

"Tell me!" He shouted, making Terra jump. "I can handle it, I swear!"

"No, you can't." Jura said. "Gaia's Cry is not something a wizard your age should know how to use." At the name of the spell, Terra made a face and looked to her dad.

"Gaia's Cry?" She asked. "You never taught me that one either. What does it do?" Jura sighed as his daughter teamed up with Rocky, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Because it's too dangerous," He replied. "I will not teach it to you, under any circumstances."

"What it does, Jura." Rocky said. "That's what she asked." Jura's frown only deepened at this question, looking between Rocky and Terra quietly. Finally, he sighed.

"Gaia's Cry is a last ditch offensive spell," he said. "The caster absorbs magic power from the core of our planet, vastly improving their magical capabilities." Rocky smiled at this explanation.

"That's just what I need!" He shouted. "Teach it to me!"

"Let me finish," Jura said sternly, silencing Rocky. "Gaia's Cry is very powerful yes, but as I said it's a last ditch spell. The amount of magic power the body takes in is so great the body begins to break down at a molecular level. No wizard in recorded history has even held the advanced form for longer than twenty minutes before succumbing to the pain, turning to dust. From the earth we rose, to the earth we return. That is the description of Gaia's Cry."

All three stood silent in the gym, both young adults trying to process what they had just learned.

"Teach me."

These words he said surprised both father and daughter, making them stare at him in surprise.

"Come again?" Jura asked. Rocky steeled his gaze and said it again.

"Teach me Gaia's Cry." Jura stared at him for a few more seconds before he frowned.

"Why do you wish to know how to use it?" He demanded. "Why're you pushing yourself this hard, as you have been for months now? What's driving you?" Rocky gritted his teeth at this, bringing himself back to the funeral.

"Because if I don't bring the people who killed her, I can't ever forgive myself. "He said sternly.

"Killed her?" Terra asked. "You mean Nashi, don't you? Rocky, The Olympians killed her! You can't take them down by yourself!"

"Teach me the spell." Rocky repeated.

"We don't have a clue how powerful they are!" Terra continued. "You can't just try and-!"

"And you wish to know this spell in cause you need it?" Jura asked, cutting Terra off. Rocky nodded at this, he'd gotten it right. "You wish to die for this fight?"

"If I have to die for a chance at redeeming myself, then fine." He said. "I don't care."

"And who would be there to revel in your redemption with you?" Jura asked, thankfully not asking kind of redemption he was looking for. "What good is redemption if you're dead."

"I'd deserve it anyhow," Rocky said. "So I don't care. Teach me how to do it." Jura stared at him for a good long while, not saying anything. He then looked at Terra, who shrugged. Jura sighed.

"I will tell you how to do it, nothing more." He said. "If you really need it, than you will have it." Rocky smiled as Jura relented. This was just what he needed! If he got pushed into a corner it'd be perfect.

"Thank you so mu-"

"But know this," Jura interrupted, silencing Rocky. "There will be no coming back from this. As soon as your body absorbs the power, your life is on a short timer. That's of course assuming you manage to do it right. Do you understand? There is no way back." Rocky stared dead at the man that had been training him since the funeral, already knowing his answer.

"I understand."

Rocky knew what he had to do. He was dead either way with this stab wound.

Managing to get to one knee, Rocky firmly planted his open palm on the ground, taking a deep but shaky breath. He needed to end this, and he needed to end it now.

"Please don't die for me!"

Sorry, Luna. That was a possible outcome all along anyway.

Slowly but surely, bright yellow energy seeped from the ground and snaked up Rocky's arm, directly into his torso. As soon as it made contact with him, his body jumped from the electric shock of pure magic power pouring into his body. Despite all of the pain he was feeling, he still remembered the chant Jura had told him.

"I call upon Mother Earth, patron of all living things, to share her power with me." He didn't remember his voice being so loud before, but it caused both Olympians to turn and stare at him in shock. "I ask to take only a sample of your power, to smite those who stand before me. I will use this power to the greater good of those I love, and when all is said and done, I will return the power to our Mother. From the Earth we rise, to the Earth we return." Looking up, Rocky saw both Olympians taking a defensive stance. Good, they'd need it.

If I can't defeat them, I can't ever make it up to her.

"Even if it is only for a moment, Mother Earth, lend me your strength! Gaia's Cry!"

With these words, the earth beneath Rocky's feet broke open.

This seems like an okay stopping point for today. Wow, this chapter got a little long, didn't it? Funny things is, I actually cut it down from what I originally wanted in this chapter. But that's fine, it still got the point across. I hope you all enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!

Chapter 310: Gaia's Cry