The Prince of Astoria-Chapter 71: LXXI - Money’s House

Etienne slipped between alleyways and walked down a few side streets to Money’s apartment.

"I’ve made an enemy of the INHO. I don’t believe Isatou deleted all of my data that easily. I’m not naïve, I know there’s a backup or a physical copy somewhere."

He threw his hoodie over his head and tugged the strings, pulling it tighter.

"It’s only a matter of time before Senshi Sentinel or Isatou report me to the main branch and they send more ranked heroes after me. There’s a ticking time bomb on my mission now."

Etienne turned down a street, and the scenery changed immediately. Colorful apartment buildings and townhouses flanked him on all sides. The area was bustling, people walked their dogs, exercised and walked leisurely, conversing with each other.

He looked down at his phone and then looked up at the large orange building across the street.

"So this is where Money lives now? It suits him," Etienne thought as he crossed the street quickly.

He entered the sterile and clean white lobby and looked around in awe. The floors were a squeaky white and grey epoxy material. The walls were covered with perfectly manicured leaves and vines. And unique swirling light fixtures hung from the ceiling.

Etienne walked over to the reception desk and pulled his hood down. He looked at the bored receptionist before speaking, "Excuse me, where’s the elevator? I’m trying to get to the third floor."

The receptionist glared at him before pointing a finger to the left, down a narrow hall and past some lavish-looking designer furniture.

Etienne walked down the hall and looked at his phone once more. He put his phone away and approached the elevator at the end of the hall.

Etienne entered the elevator and stepped off on the third floor. The hallway was sparsely decorated, with only an ugly carpet on the floor and bland off white wallpaper. He walked down slowly, passing doors on his left and right until he stopped in front of one numbered ’310’.

He raised his hand to knock on the door but stopped himself just before.

"Is he really going to want to see me? After I ignored him for so long?" Etienne lowered his hand to his side.

He closed his eyes for a second before suddenly knocking on the door and thinking, "There’s only one way to find out."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Money opened the door, draped in a red robe, and his eyes immediately lit up, "Prince! I didn’t expect to see you here!"

He ushered Etienne in and continued to speak, "I’ve been trying to reach you for like a week. I’m sure you saw the missed calls and texts. I didn’t want to bother you while you’re still recovering, but—"

Money stopped talking and glared at Etienne, "You look different, Prince. I don’t know how to describe it, but you look better or...I don’t know. How do you feel?"

Etienne smiled, "I do feel better. I’m surprised you noticed."

Money lead him to the living room and sat down on the couch, "So I guess you’ve fully recovered now."

Etienne clenched his fist, "Yeah, you could say that. Ever since I first came back, I’ve been feeling like I’m missing a piece of myself. But recently, I feel like I’m finally whole again."

He turned to Money, "But I don’t want to talk about that. First and foremost, I want to say I’m sorry Money. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own issues and problems I haven’t made time for you. Or Christina until recently. And I still need to hang out with Gio..."

Money snickered.

Etienne sighed, "The point is, I don’t want a repeat of what happened last time, before I left to Japan. I don’t want to isolate myself, because I know I’m not really alone. I have you all. You guys always help me, and I want to help you too." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Money wiped a tear from his eye and nodded his head slowly.

Etienne continued, his voice growing more passionate, "Some stupid voice in the back of my head convinced me this is the old days, that you were just calling to hang out and mess around. We’re not kids anymore; you’re a boss now. And you’re a member of the Fellows. I know you would only text me and call me repeatedly if it was important."

Money put his arms behind his head, "I’m glad you’re here, Etienne. I wish you would’ve come earlier but I’m glad you’re here now. I won’t beat around the bush about what I need to tell you. Julian Mason, the guy I told you about, the leader of the Good People Movement. He’s running for mayor of Portland."

Etienne’s eyes widened and nearly bulged out of his head. He thought to himself, "Julian Mason? Melpo? One of the new recruits to the Black Company is running for mayor?"

Money studied Etienne’s expression for a second and shook his head, "That’s the same look I had when they first told us. But that’s not the worst part, Prince. Your cousin Lionel decided unilaterally that all members of the Fellows have to support Julian in all ways — financially, socially, whatever. If we don’t...it wasn’t stated explicitly, but it’s clear their membership to the Fellows may be in question."

Etienne laid his head back and sighed. He thought to himself, "You’re that deep in their pocket, Lionel? You’re that much of a pawn?"

Money crossed his arms, "The cofounder of the Fellows, Stone, already resigned from the Fellows, and a few other people who were on our side have done the same. It’s pretty dire out here, Prince."

"Wait, Stone left?" Etienne blurted out, "He was the only person I met that was as dedicated to the Fellow’s mission as my parents. How is that possible?"

Money pinched his forehead, as if recalling the memory was painful, "He said the Fellow’s time is over. He said there’s nothing we can do to stop our organization from becoming the Good People Movement’s playground and country club."

Etienne leaned forward, "So who else is on your side after Stone left? What does the current situation look like?"

Money laughed bitterly, "It’s just me, Prince. It’s just me and a few other supporters. No disrespect to the people who are on our side helping, but none of them have nearly have financial power or social clout to move the needle. Let me put it like this: where it was 60/40 in their favor a month or two ago, now I’d say it’s 80/20 in their favor. The odds are against us."

Money leaned forward, his face deadly serious, "I’m not going to sugarcoat this, Etienne. We’re losing the battle; we’re losing the war. I need you. I need your help. If you’re feeling better, I would love for you to stand as the co-leader of our little faction. You and I are some of the only people who remember what the Fellows originally stood for or care to preserve it. Will you join me?"

Etienne put his hand out, "We have a deal. I’ll join you. I’ll go to the meetings, any events, whatever you need from me."

Money’s eyes beamed with joy and he shook Etienne’s hand happily, "I knew I could count on you, Prince!"

Etienne grinned, "In fact, I’ll do you one better. I’m going to talk to my cousin, see if I can’t change his mind about forcing us all to support Julian Mason. Maybe if I can convince him on that, we could get Stone to come back. The more allies, the better."

Money was taken aback slightly, "You would do that? I know you and your cousin aren’t on the best of terms. Or even on good terms..."

Etienne shook his head, "This is bigger than some petty family drama. I told you, I don’t want to just do the bare minimum. I want to be significantly more active, more involved. So let me do this."

Money stood up and smiled, "Okay. Well, thank you again Etienne, you really are going above and beyond. I have to get to work soon, are you going to see him today?"

Etienne rubbed his chin, "No, I think I’ll give it a few days. I need to...prepare myself mentally to have that conversation with him. Knowing him, convincing him will be nearly impossible. But I have to try."

Money nodded his head slowly and walked Etienne to the door, "When you do do it, please let me know how it goes. And don’t be a stranger, man. Life isn’t all doom and gloom. If you want to hang out, just let me know. I’ll make time."

Etienne smiled and exited Money’s apartment. He called out behind him, "I’ll let you know!"

Etienne put his hoodie back on and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"Ticking time bomb..." The words bounced around in Etienne’s mind over and over.

"I was hoping I had more time to train. To temper my skills, to find the perfect weapons. But the clock is ticking. No more waiting. No more getting sidetracked. I have to take my revenge before the heroes come down on me. I need to find Lyle again, I have to confront Lionel..."

Etienne bit his lip until blood trickled down his chin, "I have to kill Uncle Elliot and Aunt Princessa. I have to take revenge for my parents. And nothing will stand in my way."