~*****~

While the potion seemed to work for me, it did absolutely nothing for Natsu. "Stop the wagon-- I'm dying--" Natsu whined.

"I just don't get why your tolerance to motion sickness potions and spells is so strong." I sigh loudly. "Kinda makes me feel bad I'm makin' you go through that awful pain." I pat at his head as it flopped onto my lap in an attempt to stop the horrible swaying. My gaze snaps up as I see something familiar that makes my skin crawl. "That better not be what I think it is--" I stammer.

"Did you see something?" Happy asks curiously.

I start rubbing at my arms. "I totally think I saw First Master Mavis crossing the road!" A rough shiver runs up my back. "I guess I imagined it. It's not like seeing the First Master at the games was super normal."

"Maybe you're traumatized," Ballad suggested cheerfully.

After about another hour of patting at Natsu's head, the cart finally pulled to a stop. "Well, this is as close as I can get to Dromar, kids," The cart driver explained.

We peer out of the opening and gape. "Whoa!" Happy and Ballad chirp.

"What the heck happened?!" Natsu cried.

"As you can see, the town's been having some drainage issues lately. I have to take a pretty big detour around it to get to the next stop!" The cart driver exclaimed.

"Wonder if people are still livin' here," I mutter as I leap out of the carriage.

"Course they do! The place looks awesome!" Natsu chirps. "There could be a bunch of fish in there, too!"

"Probably not, I think that used to be regular ground." Happy states.

"That's too bad, I'm kinda hungry," Ballad mentions.

"Hello there!" An old man calls out as he boats to the edge of the brown water. "You youngin's must be the wizards from Fairy Tail! I'm the village elder, pleasure to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you, old man!" I call back.

~*****~

The village elder takes us to a tower high above the water, safe from the water below. "One mole did all this damage?" I ask curiously.

"Yes. That god-forsaken beast has been tearing up the ground and ruining our lives." The elder explains.

"One of its tunnels got into the ground water under the village. That'd be what caused the flood." One villager mentions.

"We can't work in the fields like this, but we think the water problem will solve itself," Another states. "That is, if you can get rid of the mole."

"Please!" A woman pleads. "We don't care how, just get that mole out of our lives!"

"No problem," I chirp. "Leave everything to us! C'mon, Natsu, let's go mole huntin'!"

"Hell yeah!" Natsu exclaimed.

Natsu goes to one of the trees while I soar above the water, peering around for any sign of it. "See anything yet?" I call out.

"No, but I'll let ya know when I see it's dirty face!" Natsu chirps.

"Should a mole be this hard to find?" Ballad asks.

I shrug. "I dunno. A mole's a mole, I don't think it should be too hard to sniff out." Just as I utter the words, the water rises and forces me backwards, my wings beating furiously to stay away from the water. From it's murky depths, rises a strange looking, yet very large frog. "Hey! This isn't a mole!" I bark loudly. "Brace yourselves!" My wings snap against the force of the wave being knocked towards me, sending me hurting into the air. There's a frozen patch of water just below the tree, and Natsu, of all that is dumb, jumps onto it, declaring he'll help. The giant frog swats him with the slab of ice, sending him tumbling into the dirty water.

"Hey, don't leave me down here!" Natsu cries as the frog goes soaring towards him.

"You're did this yourself!" I shout at him as I dive towards him, my hand outstretched. "Quit squirming overwise we'll all end up filthy!" I shout as I manage to save him just in time for the frog to pounce where he'd been. There's a large splash that coats us in a thick layer of gross brown water. Ballad grimaces as she shoves at the fur draped over her eyes. "Great... I don't know how long it's gonna take to wash my hair out..." I murmur irritably.

"You four aren't causing trouble, are you?" I hear Erza's voice ring out.

"Wow, you sure got dirtied up! I don't think anything will clean out your overcoat!" Lucy calls out.

"Are you all right, Aria?!" Wendy cried. "What are you doing over here, anyway?"

"It looks like they've been playin' in the mud to me," Gray teases.

"I'll throw you in the mud, stripper!" I bellow.

The others chuckle before we reconvene on a nearby rooftop to explain the situation. "I think I understand. Since this foe has proven difficult to beat, we'll assist you." Erza hums.

"As long as I get my share of the reward, you can count me in." Gray chuckles.

"Awe, yeah! With you three helpin', there's no way giant mole can eat us!" Happy chirps.

"I'm here, too, cat," Lucy comments dryly.

I rub at my face irritably. "I don't think that thing is a mole," I mention loudly. "It looks like an overgrown frog."

Natsu grunts. "Yeah, ain't no way that things a mole. So what, were you guys on your way back?" Natsu asks.

"Oh yeah! We took an overnight job to get rid of some mountain bandits!" Wendy chirped.

"Meanwhile, you losers can't even take on a single mole?" Gray snorted. "You're gonna ruin the guild's reputation if you don't step it up!"

"Shut up! If you're gonna be a jerk, then you can leave!" Natsu bellowed.

"Now, that ain't any way to talk to the guy who's bailing you out!" Gray exclaimed.

"I NEVER ASKED YOU FOR YOUR STUPID HELP!" Natsu shouted.

"Stop this bickering, both of you!" Erza warned.

They both relented immediately. "Yes ma'am."

"Even with all of us here, there's a problem. How do we figure out where the mole's hiding?" Wendy asked. "There's just too much mud everywhere."

I peel off my crusty coat and sigh. "I'll go, that thing is irritatin' me." I comment.

"But can you hold your breath that long?" Lucy asks.

I wave my hand at her. "No problem, now just hit it with everything you've got when I lure it out."

When I finally do lure it out, it plays us for chumps over and over again until we finally press for answers from the village elder after it kept chasing after Lucy obsessively. Which turns out that it's in heat.

So we decided to use poor well, endowed Lucy bait for the horny bastard. "Let us know if he gets too handsy on your wedding day!" I exclaim loudly.

"SHUT UP!" Lucy cried. With the help of Virgo, she got the mole into the air, giving us the opportunity to take it out, once and for all.

We all stare at the giant mole-- frog-- whatever it was under the netting we captured it with. "Well, now that we've caught the thing, I guess we should figure out what we should do with it." Erza mentions.

"I know it caused a lot of trouble, but that's because its feelings were hurt," Wendy states.

"I agree, but if we let him go, he's just going to cause more trouble." Carla stated.

"Yeah, we can't do that!" Ballad states.

"Turn the other way, crybaby, you're facing the wrong direction." Carla mentions.

The sopping wet cat turns on her heel, her face covered by fur. "What's really your problem, man?" Natsu asks the giant mole. "Is it that you want a wife because you're lonely, or what?"

The moles nods sullenly. "You seem nice and I hope you can find somebody, but I can't marry you, I'm human." Lucy apologizes. "You know that, don't you?"

The mole sobs even harder. "Good going, Lucy," I comment irritably.

"I'm back, Princess, and I've brought a friend!" Virgo chirps.

We turn to the water and I fight back from screaming in complete surprise. "What is that?!" Lucy cries.

"Lucy's got some competition!" Happy and I shout.

"During my subterranean travels, I came across a lady mole. I think perhaps some female companionship will soothe him into letting go of his grudge against the villagers." Virgo explains. "She seemed willing, so I brought her here."

"I appreciate the effort, but that thing is clearly a crustacean!" Lucy mentions.

"But she's got huge boobs," I retort. And it would seem that it's love at first sight. "Goodness, they're gonna rock the boat tonight," I comment as the mole breaks free and leads the big boobed crab into the water. Unfortunately for us, we're taken along into the mud.

~*****~

By the time I go on my next job-- which I took under the guise of going on a day trip to a salon to cut my hair-- I decided to collect rent from a nearby town. Gajeel decided to join anyway, since he had nothin' better to do. And apparently, so did everyone else. "Hey. Now this is a nice piece of gear," Gajeel commented as I collected rent from the shop owner.

"This appears to be a high-quality item, too." Pantherlily mentioned as he held up a small axe. "Lovely!"

"You know, these aren't really weapons. They're actually props and set pieces," The shop owner mentioned. "One hundred percent steel, so they're heavy, but I wouldn't use them in battle--" Gajeel immediately eats the giant axe. I sigh loudly and pluck out some of the rent he'd given me.

"You know, every time I take you somewhere, you end up costing me a bunch!" I snap at Gajeel. "Anyway, I'll see you next month. And I want you to know that I'm also lowering the rent for your place, so don't worry about paying me so much next time."

The shop owner wiped at his teary eyes and nodded wildly. I chuckled and rubbed at the back of my head. "Yo! Gajeel! Aria!" A familiar voice rings out.

Gajeel and I turn our gazes over our shoulder before Rogue appears, snatching Gajeel's shirt in his grasp with a wild look in his eye. "Hey! If you've seen Frosch around here, you'd better start talking!" Rogue exclaimed violently.

I slam my fist atop his head and send him crashing to the ground. "And you'd better take a moment to collect yourself."

"Yeah, you got some kinda death wish?" Gajeel asked as I grasped onto the back of Rogue's cloak and hauled him upwards.

"Now what the hell has got you so upset?" I ask as I dust off his chest.

"We've been looking but we haven't seen Frosch anyway. Have you?" Lector asked.

I hum delicately, cupping my chin. "Who's Frosch?" Gajeel asked.

"The cute little exceed in a froggy suit," I remind him.

"Is this the last place you saw Froschy?" Ballad asks as she stands behind Pantherlily-- whether it be a defensive tactic, or an offensive tactic, Lector is immediately on edge and watches what he says.

"Yeah," Lector nodded.

Pantherlily hummed. "Ballad did point out a small person in a frog suit a few minutes ago at the park down the road."

"Oh, really?!" Lector chirped. "Aw, thank you so much! You know what they say, the cutest ones are always the smartest!" Lector exclaims while wildly shaking Ballad's paw. Pantherlily grunts irritably and smacks his paw away with a warning look.

"We owe you one!" Sting cheers as he and Rogue take off down the road.

"Let's go!" Rogue barks.

Yukino smiles sheepishly. "Thanks. You're sweet. You've been very helpful!" Yukino exclaims before running after the others.

Gajeel grasps his forehead. "Dealing with them again gives me a headache."

I shrug. "I dunno, they're kinda cute when they're riled up. I've got a few more places to hit for rent." I mention lightly as I jut my thumb down the road. "Wanna meet up in a few for some grub?"

Gajeel yawned. "Yeah, but don't expect me to let you keep footin' the bill, I hate bein' in someone's debt."

I snort loudly. "Yes, and that's why you eat everything where there's metal, that I have to pay for." I mention loudly as I trail off down the road.

Ballad leaps off of my shoulder as I poke into a jewelry shop. The old shop owner starts rooting around for jewel and I vaguely wonder if she's been having problems. "Miss, miss--" Ballad chirps. "Look who I found!" Frosch is standing besides her, teary eyed.

"Well, well--" I hum delicately as I lean down to him. "I hear you're a little lost, aren't you?"

"I don't know what happened, I saw something neat and when I turned my back, Lector was gone!" Frosch chirped. "Then I hit my foot on a stone and it hurt!"

I click my tongue as I lift him and Ballad upwards. "I can ice it for ya. But we should probably get you back to Sabertooth, huh?"

Frosch nods sullenly. "I was reading a map, and I think I'm goin' the right way." Frosch presses his paw on his chin thoughtfully.

I chuckle before turning to the shop keep. "D'you have a map laying around? This city has changed since I've been here last." I mention. "Oh, and don't worry about rent this month, I've got some things I need to do instead."

"Oh, why yes," The old woman hums, a delighted flush on her face. "Here, you go, dearie. Thank you for being understanding, I just haven't been able to have much business recently."

I beam and step out of the shop. "Okay, Frosch! Let's find that guild hall!"

Frosch nods and peers at the map for a long time before shrugging. "Oh well! I can't read it!" Frosch giggles.

I laugh and pat at his head. "THAT THING HAS GONE OUT OF CONTROL!" I hear a man shout. I peer upwards at the cart hurtling towards us, my brows furrowing together tightly. The horses flinch and skid to a halt almost immediately, sending the cart crashing into the ground.

"Let's just wander and see where that takes us," I suggest to Frosch.

"Can we get ice cream?" Frosch asks happily, raising his arms upwards to be lifted.

"And sushi?" Ballad asked.

"D'you think there's gonna be any little froggies on the way?" Frosch asked.

I just laugh and trail down the road, completely over the moon about the two adorable cats.

~*****~

"Well, lookie what we got here!" An unfamiliar man exclaims he leaps out from the shadows with three other men.

"That's like a totally rare kind of frog, man." The second man hums.

"It's adorable!" The third coos.

"Is there somethin' kinda weird about it?" The first asks.

"Yeah, I think it's a cat." The second mentioned.

"It's totes adorbs!" The fourth chirped.

"I've never seen anything like it!" The first exclaims.

"Oopsy..." Frosch stammers.

"Excuse me, would you please give us that frog?" One of the men asks with a strange looking cage in his hands.

"We'll pay ya!" Another chirps.

"Maybe we'll take you out to dinner as payment!" The third coos.

I peer down at Frosch as he curls into my jacket with Ballad, peering out nervously. I grunt irritably before I take a step forward. Each attempt they make at Frosch is a one-way ticket to frost bite. I stride down the street as they nurse their frozen hands. Four more men stride out from the billowing dust ahead, complaining that they can't wrestle one frog from a puny lookin' girl.

"Listen, buddy, you don't wanna go down this road," I mention. Ballad grimaces in my coat and sweeps her head from it with a whine.

"Miss, is that really wise? He might destroy the city!" Ballad complains.

"I think it smells nice," Frosch chirps.

"Aw no! I accidently caught a blonde chick!" I hear the thug exclaim.

"HEY! DON'T BE PICKIN' ON ARIA!" I hear Natsu bellow as he races down the streets. He stops short when he sees Frosch in my jacket. "Hey, Frosch! What're you up to?" He asks excitedly. I hear Lucy shout about being captured.

"Are you tryin' to get a little shopping done?" Happy asks.

"I'm hanging out with Aria and Ballad! She's taking us out for Ice cream and sushi!" Frosch chirped, his little paws pressing against his face.

"Sounds like a good time!" Natsu laughs before a cage is shunted onto his head. "Oh yeah-- HEY! YOU BETTER LEAVE ARIA ALONE OR I'M GONNA POUND YOU INTO THE GROUND!" Natsu barks as I trail off with Frosch. I hear Natsu and Lucy tearin' it up behind us, but I'm too enamored with Frosch and Ballad being so cute near each other.

"You know, I'm still kinda confused by this city's layout." I mention to Frosch. "D'you wanna get a bird's eye view?"

Frosch hummed, his nose pressing into my arm for a moment before humming. "I don't know how.... And I need to learn how to do it myself..."

I chuckle. "Then lead the way, buddy! I've got some rent to get from Sabertooth anyway."

After a few strange turns, Frosch leads us all over the city. It's honestly the cutest thing ever to watch him just stride confidently, even if he starts to doze off well into the night. I don't have the heart to tell him we're leaving the city. I chuckle as he perks up at the entrance to Fairy Tail. "We made it!" Frosch chirps happily. "Oopsy, wrong place."

I kneel down and rub at his head. "No worries, buddy," I chuckle. "You did your best. And that counts for a lot. Now let's get you home, huh? I'll lead this time."

Frosch yawns and nods delicately. "D'you think you can show me the way?"

I laugh. "I'll fly us there in no time. Then I'll draw you a simple map to keep with you just in case you get lost again, okay?" Frosch nods tiredly and raises his arms. I take him into my grasp and turn my gaze up at Ballad, who's hovering near my head. "You wanna tell the others I'm gonna be a bit late?"

Ballad yawned. "Yeah, I'll go crash with Natsu and Happy." She murmured as she rubbed her eye. "Goodnight, Miss! Goodnight, Froschy!"

"Goodnight, Ballad!" Frosch waved his little paw tiredly before I literally took to the skies, wings beating furiously to get there in record time.

~*****~

"Thanks for returning Frosch to us," Rufus Lore bows. "I'm sure Rogue and the Master will be pleased."

I hum delicately as I pat at Frosch's head while peering around. "Wow, you got a pool?"

"It's pretty neat, right? No other guild has a pool!" Olga exclaimed. I absolutely find absolute joy in telling him that Fairy Tail had a pool installed seven years ago. "What?!"

I chuckle. "Yeah, Master Makarov totally went overboard on the budget, but thankfully, I funded the entire thing. Speaking of which-- your rent is due."

The doors burst open. Sting, Rogue, Yukino, and Lector are panting heavily as I peer at them. "Frosch!" Rogue gasps as he hurries towards me. "What are you--" Rogue whines as I hold him back by the face.

"Don't be so loud, he's sleeping." I mention irritably. "You're lucky Frosch is so optimistic. You guys have been following us the entire day and while I know your intentions were good, he's still a little guy. I still have to look after Ballad, so it's not that bad of an idea to jump in."

"But, Frosch wanted to--"

I chuckle. "I'm just teasin' you. I just like seein' you so riled up. It's the cutest thing ever!" I coo as I pinch at his cheeks. "So, new Master of Sabertooth." I call after I hand Frosch to Rogue. "It's time we talked business. Your guild owes seven years of back taxes, but I'm willing to renegotiate."

Sting bows. "Of course. Thank you for being understanding." Sting mentions. "Wait a minute-- you're the owner of this guild hall?!"

I chuckle again. "I'm the owner of this town." I shrug. "I bought it just a few months before we left for our S-Class trials on Tenrou Island. I've been lenient with the shops here in town and I will continue to do so. But I think I'm willing to settle for a bed for the night. I'm really tired."

Sting perks up, head tilting. "You serious? I mean, it's nearly seven million jewel in back taxes."

I wave my hand at him. "I'm not in a position where I need jewel. This isn't the only city I own."

"It doesn't make sense that anyone could own an entire city," Yukino mentions.

I shrug. "Hey, when you've got the jewel, anyone's willing to do just about anything." I mention. "I primarily do it, so people have affordable houses and access to food. It's just a way I can give back to the world when I'd been dealt such a good hand in terms of wealth." Olga sniffles and starts rubbing at his eyes as if he were crying. "So about that bed?"

Sting's cheeks were darkly flushed as he gazed at me before clasping his hand around his mouth. "Yeah, you can take my room. I'll probably be up all night trying not to freak out."

"Whoa, it's strange to see you so worked up, Sting!" Lector exclaimed. "Hey, Miss Aria, d'you wanna join our guild instead?"

I laugh. "No thanks, I like being a part of Fiore's number one guild." I mention impishly. "Show me that room, Lector!"

"Right this way, ma'am!" Lector cheered as he struts down the hallway.