Chapter 13: A friend in need

Later that same day from the previous chapter, a man of about 30 years of age entered the Hall of Records in the City of Domino. Both his accent and attire gave off the impression that he was of Chinese descent. Once inside the building, the man announced his presence, and sought to go inside one of the file storage room(s). Before he could enter the filing room, the 30-year old man overheard a conversation between a couple of investors.

"Looks like we made the mistake of investing our fortunes in that kid, Devlin's Game Shop... there goes my 85 million yen." said one of the investors.

The other said, "Yeah, too bad we can do nothing about it. However, unlike you... my young friend, I didn't invest so much..."

Curious, the Chinese businessman decided to intervene.

"What's this I hear about a 'mistake'?" asked he.

Startled, the investors replied, "Who are you?"

"Ah, please forgive my rudeness. I am the Chief representative of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.; the largest banking firm in Asia. Now that I've made my acquaintance, may I ask the two of you what this mistake is?"

"Well, you see... we've both invested in Duke Devlin's Game Business, but he seems to have encountered financial troubles for the past two years or so."

"And the two of you have put in most of your money into his--?"

The second investor replied, "Actually, my friend here... Mr. Boville, has more to lose than me, as he's put nearly 80 percent of his entire fortune to Devlin's firm. You should speak to him. I've got to use... the restroom for the moment. Sayonara!"

'The name Boville sounds familiar... besides being a prominent name in the realms of finance, I believe that the Warden's name was a Boville, but this guy is obviously younger by some twenty or thirty years... perhaps his son?'

"How did this Mr. Devlin get into financial trouble, Mr. Boville?"

"Well, it seems that bad luck befell him. All of his shipments have been brought to ruin. I believe that the future-- er.. survival of the Black Crown depends on Devlin's last ship... called the Pharaon... and if it fails, then he won't be able to pay his debts... and his investors will follow his demise."

"If you like, I could assume your debt for you... Mr. Boville."

"Oh, really?!"

"Yes, you see... the Tokyo Bank is concerned with some of its prominent figures such as yourself. I seem to recall that you said you've invested about 85 million yen, no?"

"Yes, that is that amount, but you must know that you probably won't receive much reimbursement though."

"The lack of reimbursement doesn't concern me, Boville. However, it does concern the Tokyo Bank. Now, I am prepared to give you twice the amount of your lost fortune, and all I want is the brokerage fee."

"My god, you can't be serious! Do you want at least five percent back?"

After taking out some banknotes, the firm's representative handed them over to the shocked investor. The former debtor seemed dazzled at this strange, extremely generous act.

"No. Not at all, Mr. Boville. Now, I believe that you are the son of some prison warden...?"

"Yes, sir. I was also once a prison inspector at my father's prison."

"Do you know a man named Father Pa Li Ah?" .

"Why, I believe I do. Because they (the prison) said that he was crazy, I couldn't visit him to confirm it. But what does he have to do with you?"

"He used to be an old teacher of mine. I'd like to know if he's still alive now."

"Oh, I'm afraid that he died a few months ago; on the twenty-seventh of February. It's both tragic and ironic, really."

"How so, Mr. Boville?"

"Well, your former teacher had a cellmate named Yugi Mutou, who was that kid who used to be the best in some card game. Both prisoners attempted to escape by digging a tunnel in secret. But, on the night of the old man's death, Mutou apparently got the idea that the dead are buried on that prison island..."

"But?" asked the representative.

"What Mutou didn't know was... that the dead are either cremated or tossed out to sea!"

And with that, the young Boville burst out laughing. The other laughed in a much discreet manner, however.

The Rep. said, "Now, if you excuse me. I must finish what I have started. Goodbye, Mr. Boville."

Boville thought, 'I wonder what that man is looking for... probably the prisoner dossiers since I told him of his old teacher's fate... and perhaps he's just seeing if there's more about this case.'

The strange man then enters the filing room. There, he sees a several filing cabinets. Within a few minutes, he quickly searches and finds what he's looking for. The Bank Rep. found what seemed to be the accusation letter, an 'authentic' record of the interrogation, a petition by D. Devlin, and a piece of classified information regarding the political prisoner, Yugi Mutou.

Yugi Mutou:

A zealous anarchist. Sought to overthrow the government with the help of an underground criminal organization. He is to be placed in the nearest isolated prison of Domino City. Anyone he knows should not learn of his location.

After reading the his own file, Mutou quietly takes the accusation letter that led to his false arrest. He then begins to leave the Hall of Records building, but not before thanking Boville for the information.

'Now... time to go help an old friend.'

On the way to the shop, Mutou notices that some survivors of some ship just arrived at the docks.

About an hour later, the same representative from the Bank of Tokyo pays a visit to the Black Crown Game Shop.

As the man enters the doors, a twenty-five year old Duke Devlin welcomes the new visitor. "Mr. Devlin, I presume?"

Duke replied, "Yes. I am he. So, what brings you to the Black Crown?"

"I am from The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.; the largest banking firm in Asia. I am here to see if you are able to honor your debt of 1,212,149,963.38 yen (A/N: about 10 million USD)."

"Oh... you're here for that. Well, you see... in order to pay the firm, I'll need to have the successful return of my last shipment carrier, the Pharaon. Unfortunately, I heard that the ship didn't return back in one piece ten minutes ago."

"I see. Mr. Boville, one of your investors has informed me of your financial problems before. But, because I have bought up Boville's stake earlier... and now I know that you can't honor your debt... I shall give you a three-month reprieve. Since today's the 4th of June, the 5th of September should do."

"I almost forgot... today's his birthday," muttered Devlin.

The Chinese bank rep. feels a hint of sorrow towards his old friend.

"Find the money some other way to make the payment by then, Devlin. If not, please accept a package from a friend of mine, Sinbad."

The Chinese businessman leaves the Black Crown. Meanwhile, Devlin becomes surprised at the Bank's generous act. He then contemplates on how to make enough money.

Three months later, Devlin has only come up with one-third of the money he owes, by winning a couple D.D.M. and DM tournaments.

Because he wasn't able to make enough money to cover the amount of debt that he owes, Duke chooses suicide to end his misery, as he'll be forever shamed if he can't pay up. However... a certain package is left at his shop's doors.

Devlin decides to check it out, and much to his surprise, the sender was Sinbad the Sailor... and the addressee is read as Duke Devlin. The D.D.M. Creator merely shrugs off the gift as nothing more than a coincidence, or perhaps a prank of sorts. Eventually, desperation forces the young man to open the package... and in it contains...

"Three billion Japanese yen?!" cried Duke. (A/N: almost twenty-five million USD)

Duke's loyal secretary informs him that the Pharaon has just returned to Domino. "But, how can that be? Eh, what's this..."

Beneath the billions of Japanese yen, lies a note. Devlin reads it:

You seemed to be in need of a good friend, Duke. In memory of our mutual friend, Yugi Mutou, here's something for you. And do not tell anyone of this note or how you came to be in possession of this money.

-Sinbad the Sailor

Outside the Black Crown shop stands Yugi Mutou, dressed in a black overcoat (A/N: think of Hell Kaiser in Gx).

'Be joyful, my old friend... I shall see to it that you be blessed for your kindness and loyalty. As for me... I shall hide in the shadows where I belong.'

Suddenly, Yugi receives a call from Jack.

"What is it?"

"The ship that you ordered to be constructed via 'borrowed' blue prints, has just arrived at Domino docks, Zatarra."

"Good, Jack. Now, I'll meet you at the Docks, so stay there."

"All right, Aniki."

Some 15 minutes later, Yugi arrives at the docks. There, Jack waits for him in the Cadillac Hearse.

"So, now where do we go, Zatarra?"

"Not we, Jack. I'm afraid that this is where we part ways."

"But--"

"Don't worry, I shall visit you one day. But, here... take it!"

Yugi hands Jack what seems to be a Duel Monsters deck. It is the same one that he used during his trip with the Rare Hunters.

"I need to travel the world, my young friend. For reasons that I cannot confide in even you."

"I understand. No matter where you may go, I shall forever remember your kindness, Yu-- Zatarra. Farewell, Aniki."

"Goodbye, my young friend. My brother!"

And with that, both men go their separate ways. While, Jack goes wherever he longs to go, Yugi heads towards a medium-sized yacht.

'And... Goodbye... all that is good in my heart. For I only need Anger, Grief, Hatred, and Vengeance...'