A/N: I appreciate whoever is reading this, and I appreciate the fact that people decided to follow the story for me to get motivated enough to rewrite it.
Any suggestions, errors or criticism that can be found, is appreciated.
Becoming part of the Family
Makarov took the cigarette out of his mouth as his life story came to his mind. He never knew his father, nor did his mother speak of him. His mother had been a prostitute a few years ago, but left after threats from the local gangs to stop her business. After all, the gangs' presence existed in order to preserve their own interests and profits, and his mother's work had been in sharp contrast, she would either work for them, or she would have to stop.
She had been one of the lucky ones. Some had started to move their business to the underground casinos, some to turn up raped, others to disappear to never return.
Unfortunately, it was life in magnolia.
Makarov started reciting his story. He was born 19 years ago. Struggled all the way through school, always took a liking for his books. Books were a great escape from the gang-torn city he lived in. Timid and young, he changed his ways after a string of home invasions in his neighborhood almost 5 years ago. Rival families met for a brawl close to his area. It had been the last time that criminals had met each other in neutral territory. Unfortunately, due to criminal constraints and division of territory, known mobsters could not leave their family territory, due to high bounties.
The last recorded brawl had taken a toll. It was the last time police intervened outside of Magnolia's center. Gunshots could be heard all around town. By the time the brawl was over, there had been over 15 arrests, 20 deaths and close to 3€ million in damages. This was a matter of some concern, one of Fairy Tail's most senior members was now standing behind bars due to this event.
"Mavis.." - Interrupted the older gentleman. "The brawl you're mentioning was nation-wide news. We couldn't do it again. If we push it too far, the government would send the military to.. 'Pacify'. The zone. If you catch my point.." - he interjected.
"It is sad to put into perspective the suffering that people went through with our street fights… It is hard to think about how much power we actually do have over the town.." - The old man continued.
But this 'Mavis' still had a long time to do behind bars. The Fairy Tail family had to withdraw from helping her. The Father had paid for good defense for her, but in court, none of it mattered. The necessity of the state in crocus to apprehend a big name in the mob game made sure that it happened.
Makarov continued. He later on discovered that his father had originally been a Fairy Tail member, and so moved. The name of his father guaranteed him a job. He needed to take it. His mother was depending on him, and the drugs were no life. It was better to be the one dealing them, then the one taking them. He took it to heart.
".. And now I'm here". - Said Makarov.
The older gentleman stared at him. "You are Yuri's son?" - He said, surprised. Yuri died a few years back in an attempted assassination on the Father. In the eyes of the family, Makarov's father had died in the most honorable way possible, and it guaranteed Makarov's spot in the Family.
"I see.. It is good to get to know you, son. Let's move to the next shop before going back to the Family HQ for news." - Said the older gentleman before throwing out his cigarette.
Makarov kept following the older partner. He was led through the main street of the area, which ended on Earth's Bridge. Midway to the bridge, they stopped by a barber shop. It was full of young men inside, with the oldest of them cutting hair.
Makarov entered the barber shop, all whilst being stared down by everyone there. They knew what Makarov's attire meant. Family business. It was time to pay their dues. The oldest one knew it. As he moved to get the money, the youngest one, wearing a black gang jacket that seemed to be thrown out from the 1950's moved forward and stopped the barber as he spoke to Makarov.
"You think you are some kind of bigshot person eh? They don't even send the big dudes anymore, they think so lowly of us that they send the idiots. Well, let's send the idiots back and tell them to respect us." - he interjected as he approached Makarov.
"I'm here to make business. You can either pay the protection money, or see that protection revoked." - Said Makarov, as he grew a frown above his eyes.
"Oh yeah? We need no protection, not any from you guys, we do well on our own." - Said one of the other men in the barbershop.
"Wrong answer." - The older gentleman that accompanied Makarov signaled, as Makarov grabbed the young man's arm and threw him outside the shop, all whilst Makarov's partner destroyed the big glass window of the shop's entrance.
Makarov exited the shop to meet the young man, punches were traded, before the young man got a pair of scissors that were passed by the older barber.
"Well.. If we're going down, might as well go down.. Guns blazing. Tell your boss to send stronger ones next time.".
The young man started running towards Makarov with the scissors in hand. Makarov quickly dodged the blow and grabbed the young man's arm, pulling it behind his back, making him drop the scissors.
Makarov pulled out his own knife, and held it to his own throat.
"Still want to go down guns blazing? You kids don't seem to understand who actually is in charge here." - Makarov threw the young man into the ground as he stored the knife back in his pocket.
The older gentleman approached Makarov's back, as the other young men took a few steps back.
"The Father will have your head if it gets out that this place rioted with no deaths, newbie. Finish the job. They have to know who is the boss here." He whispered.
Makarov was in shock. Killing someone? The young man started moving, before Makarov quickly sat his knee on this young man's back.
A few seconds go by, which to Makarov, seem like hours. He was debating this young man's life in his own mind. On one side… killing a young man for something like this was… ridiculous. On the other hand, the gentleman had a point. What message would get out if people thought they could do whatever they wanted with no repercussions.
Makarov took out the knife and rested it on the young man's neck. He quickly thought of a solution.
"You pay 3 times the protection money… And we forget this happened. Otherwise… The Family will have to make this a public message." - He said, as he pushed the young man's face into the ground.
The barber looked in panic. Paying three times the price when business was not booming was… Impossible. To say the least.
"Can we discuss a payment plan?" - Asked the barber, panicked.
Makarov got up from the young man's back and walked towards the barber.
"You pay two months of protection up front. Two months as well next month. If the money is not right, I will kill him." - Said Makarov, menacingly.
The barber quickly went back inside to get his money and brought it to Makarov. Makarov grabbed it, and joined the older gentleman, who was already on his way.
"I hope you're ready to deliver your first report back to the Father." - He said.
A/N: Sorry for the late Update, I got vaccinated a few days back and I didn't have that positive of a reaction. Work has also been taking some of my time. Well, from now on, I'll try to update at least once every two days with a 1200 - 1500 word Chapter. Seems reasonable, the story will now start moving on to how Makarov rises in the life of Crime and how he gets a suitable position in the Family.
Take care, I appreciate all criticism! :)
