Just as Natsu and Gray were about to teach Roy a lesson, Erza appeared behind them, pushing a cart piled high with luggage, startling the two rivals into a huddled embrace.
Seeing their "friendly" behavior, the somewhat oblivious Erza smiled in satisfaction, genuinely believing that they were getting along well.
In her usual straightforward manner, Erza glanced at Lucy with curiosity. "Are you new? I think I saw you at the guild yesterday."
"Yes, Ms. Erza! I'm Lucy, a new member of the guild. Please take care of me," Lucy responded.
Erza smiled brightly and replied, "I'm Erza. It's nice to meet you. Now that everyone's here, let's board the train!"
After handing her mountain of luggage to the train staff—ignoring their troubled expressions—Erza led the group onto the train.
Seated in the carriage, Roy, Lucy, and Erza took one side, while Natsu, Gray, and Happy sat on the other.
As the train whistle sounded, the once-energetic Natsu wilted immediately, looking half-dead. Lucy, who had already witnessed his motion sickness on the journey from Hargeon to Magnolia, understood that he was struggling with it again.
Just as she was about to call for a train attendant to help, Erza stood up and declared, "I'll help you feel better!" To Lucy's horror, Erza punched Natsu straight in the stomach, instantly "curing" his motion sickness by knocking him out cold.
Gray, witnessing Natsu's suffering, couldn't help but smirk. But when Erza looked over, he quickly adopted a serious expression, unwilling to risk being scolded.
Erza, noticing nothing amiss, nodded in satisfaction and sat down to brief everyone on their mission.
---
Meanwhile, in a dark cave, a lackey reported to a silver-haired man with facial tattoos, "Mr. Erigor, Kageyama has unlocked LULLABY. He's on a train, on his way to join us."
"Excellent!" Erigor grinned as he rose, gripping his massive scythe beside him. "Let's go! Let the high-and-mighty guild masters feel true fear!" With that, Erigor led the Iron Forest members out of the cave.
---
Back on the train, Erza filled everyone in on the mission: stopping the Iron Forest guild from disrupting the guild masters' regular meeting.
As she explained the details, the train reached Onibas Station—the same place where Erza had first encountered the Iron Forest plot and where she and Roy first met.
Thinking this would be the ideal spot to start searching, Erza led the group off the train, discussing their plans with Lucy and Gray on how to track down the Iron Forest members.
It wasn't until Roy asked about Natsu that everyone realized something was wrong.
They had forgotten Natsu, who was still passed out on the train! Turning to look, they saw the train pulling out of the station, leaving them standing there, shocked.
The group exchanged glances, a mixture of panic and embarrassment filling the air.
"It's all my fault!" Erza said, hitting herself lightly on the forehead. "I got too caught up in the discussion. I should have remembered that Natsu can't handle transportation. I completely forgot about him!"
Feeling deeply remorseful, Erza lowered her head. "It's entirely my fault. Please, go ahead and punish me."
Watching Erza scold herself, Roy scratched his head. *What kind of past could have given Erza such a personality? Something about a tower? Was it some trauma from her childhood?*
Whatever it was, Roy decided it wasn't worth worrying over for now. He approached Erza and, like the first time they met, gave her a gentle head pat.
Through her crimson hair, Erza felt the warmth from Roy's hand, which helped calm her and filled her with newfound strength.
Erza lifted her head, tilting it in confusion, her wide eyes seemingly asking, "Why are you patting my head again?"
Roy found himself overwhelmed by her mix of innocence and strength. He nearly felt his heart melt, but he reminded himself of his purpose.
"Don't worry! Natsu will be fine. There's no need to blame yourself." Roy smiled reassuringly. *Besides, Natsu's the main character from the original story. He's bound to be okay.*
Erza nodded firmly. "Right! Let's catch up to him!"
---
PS: This scene might seem minor, but it helps build the story naturally rather than making things feel abrupt later. Developing their relationship slowly might seem awkward now, but it's all part of the charm.