Chapter 4: Judge's Interrogation
Once the creator of DM (Duel Monsters) enters the room, he hears the words, "Pegasus?!"
"Yugi-boy? I was hoping that I could clear things up for you. I've read the reason for your arrest..." said Pegasus in sympathetic tone.
Confused, Yugi asked him, "Wait a minute, Pegasus. Since when did you become a judge? I thought that you were just the President of Industrial Illusions and the DM creator."
"Ah. Well, you see... when I traveled the world in hopes of seeing my Cecilia again, I've immersed myself in various cultures of the countries I went to... including the different forms of justice that was being served. In doing so, the Emperor appointed me as a judge due to my knowledge. Plus, once I heard of your crime, I made sure to come right here immediately."
"Oh."
"Although you now know why I am the Judge of this district, I digress. I'll have to interrogate you now, Yugi-boy. Who are you and what is your name?"
"Aw, c'mon, Pegasus. You know me and my na--"
With a sudden dull and grim voice, Pegasus said, "Just tell me the information that I require of you."
Crap! I better do whatever he says in order to avoid any trouble then.
"My name is Yugi Muto, the 'King of Games'." replied the teenager, albeit in a calm, yet nervous voice.
"What is your age?" asked Pegasus.
"Seventeen, but almost eighteen, sir."
"What were you doing when you were arrested, Yugi?"
"I was celebrating my 'Welcome Back' party, sir. I was also somewhat in a date with my girlfriend, Téa Gardner."
"You were with your girlfriend at the time?" asked the judge.
"Yes, sir. I was with a girl that I have known since childhood, and whom I intend to marry in a few years."
When judging the accused, Pegasus usually puts on a grim face, which is needed to remain neutral before a supposed criminal. However, he vividly remembers the days when he was with his own childhood sweetheart, Cecilia. As Yugi is very happy with the love of his life, so too was Pegasus many years ago.
Smiling, Pegasus said, "You may continue, Yugi-boy."
"In what way, sir?"
"To further the way of Justice, of course."
"If so, sir. Then have Justice allow me to know which information it requires at this time. Although, I must inform you that I do not know anything that is of importance yet."
"Did you ever serve under the Japanese Self-Defense Forces?"
"No, sir. As the SDF is voluntary... I see no need to join, unless the Constitution's Article 18 deems me worthy of a criminal."
Almost abruptly, Pegasus stated, "Your political views are said to be extreme."
"My political beliefs are said to be extreme? Although I am practically ashamed to confess it... I don't have what one calls a political opinion. I am almost eighteen, which I have told you a few minutes ago, sir. I know very little, and fate has not placed me into a great role, except being the 'King of Games'. All of my success, I owe it all to my friends and family, Mr. Pegasus. The only opinions I have aren't anywhere near political, but personal: I love my grandpa, I give respect to just 'bout everyone, and I adore my girlfriend, Téa Gardner. And that, sir, is all the information I can give to the justice system."
As Yugi spoke, Pegasus noticed that his face expressed nothing but sincerity and honesty. Among the years he spent as a judge, he familiarized himself with the things that various criminals who did almost the very opposite of Yugi. Of course, there were some sociopaths who tried to get onto his goodside. Pegasus, with his experience with Yugi's 'adventures' the past couple of years, seems just about certain to let him go.
Pegasus asked, "Yugi-boy, do you know that if you have any enemies?"
"If I have any enemies?!" exclaimed Yugi. "I am blessed to not have any enemies. I am always polite to basically everyone I meet. I know several people who can back this up, which they will inform you that they all respect me for my good character."
"If not enemies, why not rivals, Yugi-boy? Perhaps, Kaiba-boy has his hand in your arrest...? You are the 'King of Games', in a relationship with a pretty girl that you love, and will probably receive the Most Charitable Gamer Award very soon. These three things might have stirred up jealousy."
"You're right, Pegasus. Obviously, you know more about human nature than I do, and what you tell me is a possibility. However, should I learn that these jealous people are among my friends, I'd rather not know, as I don't want to hate them."
"How wrong you are, Yugi-boy. It is important to see the truth, despite the consequences of what it may bring... and because of your character, I believe that I can skip from the normal procedure as I feel that you have the right to see the accusation letter that has forced you here."
Pegasus removed the accusation paper from his folder and gave it to Yugi, who quickly read it. As the boy read the letter, Pegasus said:
"This should shed some light for you. Oh, and do you recognize the writing style?"
"No, sir. I don't know this writing at all. It is cleverly disguised, although it seems to appear truthful. However..."
Handing the letter back to Pegasus, he continues:
"I am grateful to learn that whoever wrote this is truly an enemy of mine."
As he said those words, Pegasus noticed how much power lay dormant within Yugi. My god. It seems that Yugi-boy does hide a bit of repressed anger...
"All right, answer my questions truthfully, as one who is wrongfully accused of a crime. Who asked you to send the other letter? The one that was in your home."
Yugi answered, "Arthur Hawkins, sir. He's the grandfather of a friend of mine, Rebecca Hawkins, the supposed American DM Champion."
"Ah, yes. Rafael is the one who really holds that title... oh, by the way, when did he ask you to do this?"
"Well, I got an email during the tournament in America that was from him. I told him that I'd mail it to the address as soon as possible."
The judge asks, "What date, precisely, Yugi-boy?"
"The 20th of February; a week ago."
"How is that possible... when he was killed two days before sending that email?"
"What?!"
Bewildered, the young man exclaimed, "Pegasus, I promise on my grandfather's life, that I had no idea that this happened!"
"I know, Yugi. I know. My sources informed me that you were too busy with the tournament to be involved in the professor's murder. The letter that you were to send, is one that actually threatens the Japanese government... but you obviously didn't know that. But what happened after?"
"Joey and I were in the final match; although I won, the duel was a close. After the tournament was over, we boarded the plane back home, I visited my grandpa & Téa, and then Duke treated Joey and me to dinner. The next evening, I went to Duke's game shop, and partied with my friends... and got arrested, and finally I'm right here in this office."
"I see," Pegasus said. "I'm convinced by your story, Yugi. If somehow you're guilty, it can be sorted out, as you were tricked by Hawkin's killers. Now, hand me the letter that was given to you, promise me that you'll appear in court, and you can go back to your friends."
"So I'm free?"
"Yes, if you hand me the letter."
Yugi said, "Oh, it must be somewhere on your desk. The police went to my house to search for it before we came here."
"There are a bunch of letters & papers, here, Yugi-boy. Most of which are from political friends of mine, but... who was the addressee of the letter you say?"
"To P. Crawford, in New York, New York."
As soon as Pegasus heard those words, he fell into his chair as if struck by something shocking, and possibly dangerous. Quickly going through the pile of letters and papers on his desk, he manages to find the letter, with much dread.
Pegasus mutters to himself, "P. Crawford... New York, New York."
"Yes, sir. Do you know this man?"
"Never! A good judge of a powerful country does not befriend any anarchists or terrorists!"
"So, this is some kind of plot to undermine the government?! Like I said before, I had no idea that the letter contained some terrible plan!"
"Although you did not know that, Yugi," said Pegasus in a darker tone, "you still know the name of the addressee!"
"Why, sir, in order to send it to this Crawford, I had to know in the first place."
"You haven't shown to this to anyone?!" asked a pale Pegasus, who read the letter.
"Not that I remember, sir."
"So, no one knows that you were to send this letter to P. Crawford?!"
Better not involve Joey in this; don't want him to go to get in trouble...
"No one, sir. Except for the people who told me to."
Talking to himself, "Still, that is too many people who know."
Yugi, who noticed Pegasus's trembling hands and pale skin, believes him to be suddenly ill, rather than shocked.
"Are you sick, sir? If you want, I can call someone here to help your illness."
"Don't! I'm fine. Just don't move from that chair or speak, unless I tell you to do so. I'm the person who orders people here, not the accused."
"But, I thought that I'm not guil-"
"Silence! I said don't speak unless I tell you!"
Should anyone know that this letter is for... my father, Pegasus Crawford, the controversial politician in America... my company and my reputation will be all gone!
"I'm sorry, Yugi, but this interrogation has resulted in one of the most serious charges against you... and consequently, I am unable to release you soon as I hoped. Before I can free you, I must take counsel in the judiciary... and you've seen how I treated you well, right?"
"Why, yes. I should be grateful, as you've treated me more as a friend, instead of a judge."
"However, I must detain you as prisoner for a little longer... you see, the real reason for your arrest was due to this letter, and..."
Taking out a lighter from his pocket, Pegasus burns the letter and throws its ashy remains in the trash can.
"...as I have eliminated it, you see my trustworthiness, right, Yugi-boy?"
"Yes, sir. Whatever you tell me to do, I shall comply."
"Oh, no. I will not order you anymore; instead, I shall offer some advice to you."
"All right. I shall listen attentively again."
"Don't speak of the letter's existence to anyone, and you shall be free to go as soon as possible. Now swear that you'll heed my advice to me."
"I swear, sir."
"Good," said Pegasus as he called in the police commissioner. When the commissioner arrived, Pegasus whispered something in his ear, to which the former replied by nodding.
"Follow the commissioner, Yugi."
"Yes, sir," said Yugi.
As soon as the door closed behind the boy and the commissioner, Pegasus gasped an air of relief. My god, if it were some other judge who interrogated Yugi earlier tonight... all that I have surely would've been lost. Damn my father... and his strange political views and business tactics... trying to use your son's company to influence a weakened Japan, eh? I don't think so... it'd ruin my reputation! I better inform the Prime Minister about the terrible plot!
And with that, the judge heads to the Kantei (the office of the Prime Minister) to foil the anarchist plan.