Chapter Three
"And lastly, prominent politicians are once again in disagreement over the amount of funding to be allocated to the Ministry of Education for the nationwide improvement of educational facilities…"
Chazz frowned as the reporter suavely read out the last point in her morning news script. He reached toward the radio in his parked car and turned it off, obliterating the woman's superficially carefree voice. He also turned off the ignition along with the radio, leaving the inside of his car blissfully silent.
So far, it seems the media hasn't got wind about Zane's re-emergence. The only thing they were reporting remained as Zane's tragic disappearance ten years ago. This rather unusual neglect of duelling news felt rather odd for Chazz. In Domino, a city with a cult-like adoration for the game of Duel Monsters and is arguably the place-to-be for any duelist, you'd expect a lot of people to know of Zane's story and what he looks like. For him to just casually canter up to Alexis in broad daylight on the anniversary day of his own disappearance would be a little bit bordering impossible.
The elder man did not say much in his surprise visit yesterday. Zane kept a tight mouth about how he escaped and how he got to Domino, dedicating much of his time listening to others filling him in on events that occurred in his absence. He left with Jaden and Aster, who said they'd take care of him. Chazz ran a hand through his hair in irritation. He promised himself to contact Jaden later that day to see if Zane had any more information on his own adventures.
"Excuse me, Mr. Princeton, are you alright?"
The security guard of the underground carpark belonging to Kaiba Corp knocked on the passenger seat window in concern. Chazz rolled down the window and gave a small grin in reply.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking about something."
"That's good to know, Mr. Princeton." The guard replied. After a small hesitation, he spoke again. "Pardon me for asking, but would you be thinking about the agreement Mr. Kaiba will sign with those software companies tomorrow morning?"
"Um. No." Chazz frowned. "Why would you think that?"
"Because… you know how it is for me, Mr. Princeton. I stand here all day and sometimes hear people talk about their work. It seems that the Princetons are also looking to sign an agreement with the same companies for roughly the same products, right?"
Chazz nodded slowly.
"Well, from what I heard, it looks like your brothers are very keen to push Kaiba Corp out of this deal, Mr. Princeton. So I'm just wondering…"
"What are you trying to say?" Chazz was starting to dislike what he's hearing.
"Your brothers have arrived at Kaiba Corp today, Mr. Princeton." The guard gestured to far end of the carpark. "They left their cars there and went straight up the building. You drove in moments after they went in. When I saw you brooding in here, I thought that maybe – "
"What?!"
Chazz grabbed his case, pulled the keys out of the ignition and opened the driver side door before the guard realised what was happening. He set the car alarm without turning his head and practically sprinted across the carpark towards the stairs. He took three steps at once on ascending the stairs, while thanking his stars that his office is only at the third floor.
His brothers are here… He hasn't seen them for years, not since he graduated from Duel Academy. They never bothered to keep in contact, and he didn't missed them. But when they do show, it will probably mean trouble. Chazz knew that they are not here to negotiate that business deal; Seto Kaiba is too tough for Slade and Jagger to break through. A sickening feeling began to emerge in Chazz's stomach as his head gradually accepted a reality that he'd prayed would never happen.
Slade and Jagger Princeton are here about Zane.
If everything Zane's accused them of holds true, the Princetons would easily lose everything. But right now, they could still use their money and power to influence things and bargain around. Chazz's heart was pounding in his throat when he finished climbing all the stairs and tumbled into the third floor corridor. He looked hastily about him for any sign of disturbances before heading down towards his own office.
"Oh, Mr. Princeton!" His secretary stood up hastily when she saw him practically running through the door. "You've got – "
"Visitors?" Chazz added, panting.
Her words taken right out of her mouth, all the secretary could do was nod.
Pausing for a slight moment to compose himself before meeting his brothers, Chazz pushed open his office door.
The two men turned around. Slade and Jagger didn't look too different from when he last saw them about eight years ago except, perhaps, the first trace of wrinkles that had began to emerge on Slade's forehead.
Chazz slammed the door shut behind him.
"Are you so displeased to see us, little brother?" Jagger said in his accustomed sarcastic tone. "Tut tut. Twenty-six years old and still has no manners."
"Better than being thirty-six years old and still has no morals." Chazz wasn't going to cut the other two Princetons any slack.
Jagger's face darkened immediately and Slade chuckled. "So heated up, Chazz, aren't we?"
"What are you two here for?"
"What, we can't pay a visit to our long sundered little brother?" Slade casually picked up the frame containing Alexis's photo that Chazz kept on his office desk. "We can't care about his life after such a separation?"
"Don't you touch that!" Chazz took a step forward. Slade gave him a sharp look but didn't let go of the photo frame. "You aren't here just for a visit, Slade, Jagger. You never visit anyone without motives, not even your family."
"You sure know a lot about us, little bro, despite that fact that you left our family business and decided to work for Seto Kaiba as soon as you graduated." Slade answered coldly. He turned to face Chazz. "I heard that you and your Academy friends have already met that renegade, Zane Truesdale?"
"Did you really do what he said you did to him?" Chazz's voice dropped a notch upon speaking of this topic. The very thought that those two men in front of him experimented with Zane like a lab rat sickened him.
"We are completely ignorant to what Truesdale may accuse us of," Jagger shrugged. "But even if he did tell the truth… brother, would be able to prove them?"
Chazz breathed out heavily but didn't reply.
"Before you start yelling at us about what we may have done to develop the gaming industry's most brilliant creation to date, let me tell you about Truesdale." Jagger leaned towards Chazz until his face was almost touching the younger man's. "He's not the composed and talent duelist you knew him as anymore, Chazz. He's currently a criminal on the run."
"What?"
"You heard me," Jagger pulled away. "He's a murderer, in fact. I'm sure that you paid close attention to the media this morning? We made sure that no wind of his re-emergence got out. It would make his capture too difficult if people discovered him."
"A… murderer?! Who did he kill?"
"That's of a slightly smaller important. For your own good, however, don't shield a wanted killer, brother. It might… cause you harm." Slade said evenly and nonchalantly. "We wouldn't want to see you, or your family, get hurt." He let go of the photo frame in his hand. It landed heavily, face-down on the table with a deep bang.
"You… you…" Chazz was stuttering with shock and anger.
"Oh please, Chazz, you really should know us better than that," Jagger sniggered at his youngest brother's enraged expression. "Despite what you think, protecting you is still a top priority for us."
"Oh yeah?" Chazz took a step forward. "All those years of neglect and you still dare to say that you care about me?"
"Didn't you once consider how come your wife is still getting such generous sponsorships although she doesn't duel as often as before?" Slade chuckled.
"Are you saying you have a hand in it?!"
"We have hands in a lot of places, Chazz." Jagger smiled complacently.
"Since you know so much, then I've got a question," Chazz gritted his teeth. He really didn't want to ask this, but a part of him insisted. "Did you have something to do with Syrus and Atticus's deaths?"
Slade frowned. "I wouldn't think so. We had no disagreements with them, do we, Jagger?" He turned to his brother.
"No, I don't think so either." Jagger scratched his head. The two of them looked almost comical.
"That's practically a yes, isn't it?" Chazz muttered darkly.
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions if I were you," Slade gave him a warning look. "As for Zane Truesdale, I'd advise you to stop sheltering him, and don't you glare at me like that. I know you're keeping him somewhere. If you can't get over the fact that you were once fellow students, then at least leave him alone. That way, it'd be less trouble for you if the cops find him."
"Just what happened with Zane?"
Jagger shook his head and sighed dramatically. "That's for him to know and for us to find out."
"Us? What do you mean –"
"Well well, little brother. Looks like we've gotta go now." Slade checked his watch. "Our company has business to run too. That's all for today. Guess we'll have to talk again later."
"Wait! You –"
Before he could finish his sentence, Jagger and Slade had already opened the door and left. It took Chazz a while to order his body to move and follow them. He yanked open the door.
"Mr. Princeton, are you alright?" His secretary was startled.
Chazz scanned the corridor and the larger rooms around them. The two older men have already left the vicinity of his office, and a lot of employees were looking him curiously. He sighed, and shook his head. "Yes, I'm alright, Val. Go back to work."
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"Wait a second, Jagger."
"What are you doing?"
Slade Princeton signalled for his brother to be quiet. Leaving the slightly confused Jagger to stand beside the elevators, he headed down into a large office that he knew only too well.
The workers were a little surprised to see him. "Mr. Princeton?"
"Is Mr. Misawa here? I need to speak to him immediately."
Stunned, a staff rushed to knock on Kaiba Corp's Head of Technical Development's door. An even and calm voiced sounded from within. "Come in."
Slade strode up quickly and pushed the poor employee aside. With his other hand he opened the door and closed it as soon as he was in.
The bespectacled occupier of the room jolted when he saw the older Princeton.
"You – what are you doing here, Slade Princeton?"
"There's no need to be so alarmed, Mr. Misawa. I'm just dropping in to remind you a bit about what we've agreed among ourselves."
Bastion Misawa's square jaw clutched tighter.
"Now that Truesdale is back, I'm hoping that you didn't forget our deal," Slade walked up to Bastion's desk, thoroughly enjoying the fear that surfaced into the younger man's eyes as he approached. It was even more enjoyable than taunting Chazz.
"You filthy scum! As soon as I see Zane again I will –"
"Oh no you won't, Mr. Misawa." Slade wagged a finger at the man sitting behind the desk. "I am currently doing you a favour, after all."
"I don't need it! I'm perfectly able to take care of them myself!"
"To take care of them? Need I remind you, Misawa, that you have no power concerning that matter? Besides, even if you do get the word out," Slade lowered his voice, "can you imagine what would happen to them afterwards?"
"I swear… I swear that one day you'll be punished for all this!" Slade frowned a little. Looks like Misawa won't back down without a fight. But truly unfortunately, time doesn't wait for any man; the morning is getting late and he needs to return to his company. He just need to remind Misawa of his presence and can deal with this one later.
"Really now? Lucky for you I now need to get going," the elder Princeton turned around. "I'll contact you again. In the main time, please pass on my greetings to your family."
Slade strode out of Bastion's office and shut the door quietly. As he rode the elevator downstairs with Jagger he smiled to himself, imagining the ashen-gray and terrified face he know Bastion would wear after every time he had a chat with the Ra Yellow graduate.
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Jaden stretched lazily and looked out over the city from his apartment. He's managed to get himself away for a few weeks from the busy Pro League schedule, and now he was glad for it. Who knew that Zane would suddenly reappear into everyone's lives?
He yawned as he got up, dressed, and tidied up his bed. As he walked into the living room, Tyranno was busying himself with the toaster and a few plates in the adjacent kitchen.
"Hey Jay, you certainly got up late today."
"That's cos I know it's your turn to cook. Might as well take the advantage." Jaden laughed and Tyranno growled.
"I dunno what got into me to agree to flat with you," the brawny duelist muttered under his breath and Jaden pretended he didn't catch that.
Indeed, many people found it weird that Jaden and Tyranno are flatting together in an apartment. With the amount of money they are each earning, they are more than able to afford better places to live. But, to be honest, Jaden missed the days of Slifer Red, the time he spent in the derelict dorm squabbling over petty things with Syrus, Chumley, and Chazz. He'd rather have those times back, laughing with no worries whatsoever beside the sea, if that's at all possible.
After graduation, Jaden and Tyranno somehow just ended up sticking together. Jaden did consider other options, but Chazz and Alexis were getting married, Aster is used to living a life miles away from Jaden's own, and Syrus is… well…
The brunet closed his eyes briefly to clear the unpleasant memories. He poured some milk for himself, grabbed a few piece of toast and sat down beside the table.
"But then again, Jay, you did stay up pretty late last night trying to get Zane a place to stay." Tyranno, seeing that slight darkening of Jaden's face, tried to restart the conversation.
Jaden nodded. "Yeah. Pity we couldn't just get him to come here."
He originally wanted to let the older Truesdale stay at his apartment, but Aster protested vehemently. Jaden and Tyranno were too well-known, and so was Zane. Having the duelist who disappeared ten years ago living at their place would surely create an uproar very soon. Aster and Jaden spend the better part of last night phoning up trustworthy friends, and finally lodged Zane for the night.
"Oh yeah, by the way Tyranno, did Aster contact you this morning?" Jaden asked through a mouthful of toast.
Tyranno pointed to the pile of paper sitting on the other side of the table. "Those are the stuff he faxed over."
"Thanks." Jaden hastily wiped his hands on his shirt before grabbing the files. Last night Aster had said that he was going to dig up things on Zane's story. The brunet scanned through a few pages, then looked questioningly at Tyranno, who had settled himself a bit farther away on the table.
"All these are about the Princeton group and their gaming department. Shouldn't Aster have sent these to Chazz and Bastion? They are in the business and would make more sense out of it than me."
"Aster said that he's sending them to you precisely because you aren't in the business," Tyranno shrugged. "Something about he won't put them into the hands of Kaiba Corp employees no matter what."
"Aster is certainly prudent." Jaden mumbled and flipped through all of the papers. There were lists of the important dates about the development of the DuelKing software. Aster had also jotted down a short note saying that he will try to see if they match anything Zane's told them. Jaden also made a mental note for himself to ask friends in the duelling world concerning this matter.
"Say, do you believe everything Zane's told us?" Jaden looked up. His flatmate is certainly talkative today.
"You haven't seen Chazz's brothers, have you, Tyranno? Trust me, once you meet them, you'll believe that they're capable of doing anything."
"But Jay, did you think about what would happen to Chazz and Alexis?"
"Well, it's hardly fair for – " Jaden caught himself. He was going to say 'It's hardly fair for Zane', but then…
"I don't know, Tyranno," he sighed instead. "I guess it's not fair for anyone. This is just the way everything turned out."
"Is it?" Tyranno swallowed his food, then continued. "Sometimes, I almost wish the past would stay in the past."
Jaden shook his head. To distract himself from this he looked up at the photos he's got framed in the living room, but that was the wrong thing to do. The images of his friends smiling into the camera was a sharp reminder of their precious days of joy at the Academy.
"You know, now that Zane's back," he said in a small voice, to the two of them sitting in the room and also to the images forever preserved in time, "he's gonna be so happy."
Tyranno didn't need to ask to know who he was talking about.
"Do you miss Sy, Jay?"
"Every single day."
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He immediately went to the Truesdale house as soon as he heard the news. The front door wasn't even locked when he arrived, and he pretty much flew into the living room as he rushed in with a run. The parents were too distraught to even come downstairs. The only human presence in the wide, whitewashed lounge was the small, bent figure with his back to the door.
He held his breath, conscious of the oppressive silence reigning in the house. Slowly, he approached his friend's back.
"He's gone, Jay." The younger Truesdale had obviously been crying. His voice was raspy and hoarse. A crumpled front page of the daily newspaper was clutched tightly in his hands. "Everyone's talking about it. He's gone and no one's got any idea where he went this time."
"Shh, Syrus," he went around the chair to face his friend. Those steel-grey eyes, usually sparkling like two kaleidoscopes of emotions, were blank and clouded, once-clear mirrors covered with ancient dust. "We're already looking for him. All of us are trying to get any information we can about this. We won't let him just disappear."
"Do you think he's… dead, Jay?"
A shiver ran down his back. He gritted his teeth and steeled himself.
"He's not dead, Sy. He can't be dead."
He put his tense hands firmly on his friend's shoulder. His fingers dug into the other's skin.
"We'll never give up looking for him. I promise you. As long as I'm alive I'll never give up looking for him."
He remembered that single, solitary tear dropping down the shorter boy's cheek.
But the truth is that I didn't do what I said I'd do, Sy. I looked and looked for him. I looked everywhere, and I was tired. So tired that I gave up looking. I just stayed where I am, felt sad for him for a while, then put him behind and moved on. I should have kept looking, I so should have. Then maybe – then maybe you wouldn't have died, pal. Maybe you wouldn't have left us with such a big hole in your heart. Maybe your world… would have been what it should have been.
I'm sorry, Sy.