1925
Makarov Dreyar had established two Bureaus of the Supernatural. The first was in America where he had spent many years studying and learning about the supernatural and the occult. The second he established in his home country England. He had successfully managed to run both organizations for many years but he was getting older and he knew that he wouldn't be around to run either of them forever. So he decided to write out a will which would explain who would take his place after death or retirement. Now many assumed that he would leave both organizations under the control of his son Ivan and while Makarov did love his son dearly he did not think he was suited for either positions. Sure he had the knowledge and the skill but he lacked the compassion and empathy required. The Bureau of the Supernatural wasn't just some prison or extermination company. It was also a hospital and rehabilitation center for victims of those who had been involved in the dark side of the supernatural seeking a way back to the light. Therefore compassion and empathy was needed as well as knowledge and skill.
"Write this in my will." He said to his lawyer. "When the time comes for me torelinquish my position as head to both bureaus I shall not pass the title down to one person. I shall divide it instead."
The lawyer wrote those words using the typewriter he owned.
"And who would be the beneficiaries sir?" His lawyer asked him.
"My grandson was born in England just as myself and my son were. So it is only natural that Laxus takeover as head of the bureau in England."
His councilall members nodded in agreement.
"Does this mean that your son shall inherit the American organization?" His lawyer asked.
"No." He answered.
"But Father it is my birthright." Ivan protested.
"With all due respect my son, this position is not one you gain through birth. It is one that you earn and although I love you I'm afraid you have not earned the right to succeed me."
"What?! That cannot be! My knowledge and fighting skills are completely equal to yours in every way Father."
"Yes and that is admirable but you lack kindness and sympathy to the supernatural."
"Of course I do Father. These creatures are monsters."
"Not always Ivan. Some of these creatures are hardly monstrous at all and then there are those who wish to reform from being monstrous. Those forced or seduced into darkness and have now decided to return to the light. This organization must be very harsh to the supernatural but also very gentle as well. You are only harsh with them and I'm afraid that makes you unqualified to take my place."
"But Father who else could possibly succeed you?"
"My ward, Erza shall reign as head of the bureau in America."
The council members gasped in shock.
"But Mr. Dreyar." Said council member Jura. "She is just a child. Not at all up to such a difficult task."
"Not up to it now but all children grow and mature, and despite her young age I see remarkable potential in her. She behaves very much like many of my ancestors. Sometimes I think of her as my own flesh and blood."
"I am your flesh and blood!" Ivan shouted. "Not her! She's merely some brat you found on the street!"
"She is the farthest thing from a brat. Difficult yes but by no means a brat and yes Ivan you are my flesh and blood and I tired to teach you, to train you as every member of my family has done with each of their children but you refuse to listen. You refuse to understand my lessons in showing kindness to creatures natural and supernatural alike. Both my grandson and ward have seen the understanding of it but you have not. Therefore my grandson Laxus Dreyar shall succeed as head of the English organization and my ward Erza Scarlet shall succeed as head of the American organization. Provided this be done upon both reaching proper age."
"And am I to be left with nothing?" Ivan asked.
"No. To you my son I leave my entire fortune, estates, and income businesses in both America and England. I am certain that you will be content with that."
"Very well Father. As you wish."
It appeared that he had accepted Makarov's decision but that was not the case.
"Mr. Dreyar should anything tragic befall your grandson or your ward before they reach succession who would be second to inherit each organization?" The lawyer asked.
"Should Laxus pass before succession then Erza would be head of both bureaus and should Erza pass before succession then Laxus would be head of both."
The meeting was then dismissed and the lawyer left with the will. After that matter was settled, Makarov went to the lower level of the building where he found Erza forcing her newest "agents" to train hard. For weeks she had been subjecting them to brutal exercises in order to get their bodies in tip top shape for future battles.
"Come on you can do it." The twelve year old girl said to the vampire and devil she had forced to do a hundred push ups. "You two have been asleep for centuries, it's time to get back in shape and train for battle."
"Kid we've fought in a war!" Gray panted due to the agony he was feeling. "Fought and survived! We've had plenty training for battle! We don't need this!"
"Nonsense! No matter how much experience you've had you still need to train. Especially if you've been unconscious for such a long time."
"You stone hearted little twerp!" Natsu panted while feeling agony as well. "If I didn't have a standard against hurting kids I'd bite down on your head!"
"You couldn't do that even if you didn't have that standard. You're under contract to me so you must do whatever I say. In fact as of right now you are forbidden to bite any human with out my consent."
"What?! You can't do that!"
"Can, did."
"I was wrong before. You're not stone hearted! You're completely heartless! How am I supposed to thrive?! I need blood!"
"I will provide you with blood but it will be given to you with consent. Not taken by force. Now both of you stop complaining or when you're finished I'll make you do a hundred more followed by running laps...At normal human speed."
"Oh God and I thought I was a devil." Gray groaned.
Makarov chuckled to himself as he watched her those two. Indeed she was an excellent choice to succeed him.
"Erza." He called with friendly smile.
"Oh hello Makarov." She said cheerfully, replacing her authority demeanor with one of sweetness. "Take five guys."
She then ran over to greet him while her future agents collapsed to the floor from exhaustion.
"You know something I never thought I'd hate actually hate a child so much." Natsu said.
"Yeah but shockingly I don't hate her nearly as much as I hate you." Gray snarled.
"That goes double for me." Natsu hissed back. "This is all your fault you know."
"How is this my fault?"
"You lead Archibald to me and in the end we were both sealed up and transferred here. Thanks to you we're at the mercy of a tiny taskmaster! I hope you're proud of yourself!"
"Oh shut up! You're just lucky I'm too out of breath to slash your throat!"
"Enough fighting!" Erza ordered. "And keep quiet!"
The two former human beings did as she commanded but that didn't stop them from giving her death glares.
"You're definitely working them hard." Makarov said observantly. "But aren't you being a little too harsh?"
"Yeah but didn't you always say that you have to be harsh with creatures like them?"
"I did but also gentle. Provided of course they're creatures who respond to gentleness."
"Well I'm not sure if they respond to gentleness. How do you know if a creature will or will not?"
"That's a subject we can discuss later. For now I have some news for you."
"What is it?"
He took hold of her hands in a loving manner.
"Erza my dear you're growing up very beautifully and responding better than I expected to the training I've been putting you through. I'm so very proud of you."
"Thank you Makarov. Ever since you've taken me in, all I've ever wanted to do is please you."
"You have pleased me greatly. So much so that I've decided that once you complete your training and reach the proper age I shall make you the head of The American Bureau of the Supernatural."
Erza looked at him astonished. For as long as she could remember, she had always dreamed of becoming an agent of the bureau. One highly advanced and could be trusted by Makarov to do any mission. But to become head of the organization? The idea of such an honor had never crossed her mind.
"Makarov I'm honored but I think you might be making a mistake. Shouldn't that job go to Ivan or Laxus?"
"I have chosen Laxus to have control over the English bureau but Ivan has failed to qualify for that position. You're the only other person I know who will act accordingly to the title."
"But are you sure you want me?"
"This organization needs a strong, determined, and caring leader to keep it going and I am sure you will fit that description perfectly once you finish maturing."
At first she was utterly speechless then she threw her arms around the old man's neck, hugging him with gratitude and love.
"I'll do my best not to fail you." She vowed.
"You could never fail me." He assured her.
One week later Makarov received that call from England asking him toinvestigate mysterious disappearances that occurred there. He chose to bring Laxus along, deciding that it was time for him to finally go on a mission. Erza however was still too young so she stayed home.
"I still don't get why I can't come." Erza complained.
"Because you're still just a little girl." The sixteen year old Laxus teased to her.
"I'm not that much younger than you Laxus. We're only four years apart and we have the same grades in physical and intellectual training."
"But you're still not ready." Makarov said. "I didn't go on my first mission til I was sixteen and the same went for my son, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Laxus's time has come and yours will too in four years. Just be patient."
"You sure you don't want to come Dad?" Laxus asked Ivan.
"Oh no son. Someone needs to stay behind and look after things while your grandfather is gone."
"Exactly." Makarov said. "So Ivan please take good care of Erza in my absence."
"Of course Father." Ivan said. "But what about her two monsters?"
"They should give you no trouble. They are under Erza's control and they are contained in the house by a barrier." He turned to Erza. "We'll be back in a week and a half. Until then behave yourself and try to stay out of trouble."
"I will." She said.
He and Laxus then grabbed their suitcases and go into the vehicle which would drive them to the sea port where a ship to England was waiting.