The Dragon Duelist
Chapter One: Flaming Sky
While aimlessly wandering one day, Ansem returned to his home- and found a strange package. More specifically, a package from Industrial Illusions- the company that created the Duel Monsters game. Intently curious about what he had received, Ansem opened the package- to find an odd glove, two star-like objects, a pair of unusual cards, and a videotape nestled alongside everything else.
Driven by his curiosity, Ansem lifted the glove, strapping it onto his wrist. Upon inspection of the gauntlet, he saw star-shaped insertion marks, presumably where the stars would go. There were a total of ten available slots, but Ansem had only received two of the star 'chips'. Searching for some form of clue, he inserted the videotape into his VCR, and began to watch.
On his screen appeared a mess of long, white hair- covering the face of an eccentric billionaire, famous for his role in every duelist's life; Maxamillion Pegasus, the president of Industrial Illusions and creator of the duel monster's card game.
Pushing his hair out of the way, Pegasus turned one eye towards Ansem. "Hello, Ansem Jaeger. As I'm sure you know- I am Maxamillion Pegasus. I'm here to extend an official invitation for you to compete in my tournament at Duelist Kingdom."
Why would he need me? Ansem wondered. I'm not the champion- just another runner up. This tournament will yield only defeat for me.
"I'll bet you're feeling pretty low from that loss Kaiba dealt you." Pegasus observed. "Though I have extended an invitation to him, I know he will decline- he is still suffering the affects of defeat."
"Defeat?!" Ansem gasped. "Kaiba…beaten?"
"Seto Kaiba was dealt a loss by Yugi Mutoh. I have extended an invitation to him as well, and I know that with…proper persuasion… I can get him to Duelist Kingdom. If you were able to defeat Yugi, you would become the no.1 duelist in all the land. There are a few new rules to contend with. Do you know the rules involving field power cards? They've been slightly altered for this tournament, so I know you could take advantage of the mountainous areas." Pegasus said with a grin.
Jaeger smirked at the VCR, and lifted his arm, staring at the two star chips. "I'll defeat this Yugi character… and then I'll go after Kaiba. The title… and the most powerful dragons in the land… will be mine for the taking!"
Pegasus made a short bow as the tape fizzled into static. Ansem turned off his television, and lifted his deck from a nearby container, staring at his 'lead' monster, the Tri-Horned Dragon. He placed the deck in one pocket, and prepared an outfit- dark blue jacket, lined with spikes, and equally-denim jeans, gray shirt and camo boots. A pair of red-tinted sunglasses completed the look, as light brown hair covered his face. He let loose a final chuckle, and charged from his home, towards the boat that would take him to Duelist Kingdom.
Unfortunately for Ansem, upon his arrival, and upon boarding the boat, he was not exactly met with the warmest of welcomes- the various higher level duelist were all off to themselves, unwilling to mingle with anyone of insufficient skill. And of course, the champions had no desire to meet the runner-ups, with the notable exception of Weevil Underwood, the new Regional Champ, and the second-place finisher, Rex Raptor. Ansem passed by them without a word, searching for anyone (or anything) else.
Unfortunately, he found just that.
"Well, well- look what the cat dragged in."
Ansem turned, in time to see the American flag bandanna over the blonde head of Bandit Keith, the Intercontinental Champion- and a duelist with only one known loss.
"Keith." Jaeger greeted. "Well, I must admit- I didn't expect to find you here."
"What, and pass up the opportunity to crush a few more duelists?" Keith smirked. "Beating these fools will be easy- and then I'll win that big ol' cash prize and take that rat Pegasus down."
Jaeger smirked as well. "So, I take it your still mad at him for humiliating you?"
Keith's smirk turned to a grimace. "He cheated me. You know that nobody
cheats
Bandit Keith." His melancholy attitude turned to outright anger. "NOBODY!"
"Okay, okay!" Ansem suggested. "Look, man- you can have Pegasus all you want. I came here to take out Yugi Mutoh."
"Oh, yeah- the kid who beat Kaiba." Keith nodded. "We all want to get him. But, from what I hear- he beat Kaiba in a way nobody's done before."
"What do you mean?" Ansem wondered.
"He used Exodia." Keith explained. "The five pieces of Exodia the Forbidden One."
"You mean…" Ansem gasped. "You've got to be kidding. The kid actually summoned Exodia?"
"Yep." Keith acknowledged. "You shoulda' seen it too- Kaiba's gone into hiding. The guy's a mess. His company's falling to pieces and he hasn't dueled in weeks."
"Pity- I was hoping to pay him back for that blasted move he used." Ansem shrugged it off. "Ah, well. Even if this Yugi kid has the Exodia pieces- I'll stop him. I will be the greatest duelist in all the world!"
"Whoa, man." Keith smiled. "You wouldn't be forgetting about me, now would you?"
"You're welcome to duel me whenever you want, my friend." Ansem said simply. "And I know one of us will be the better man."
"I know it too." Keith said with a sudden change of expression- from cheerful to heinous. "And that better man is me."
"Uh… Keith?" Jaeger asked with growing discomfort. "Could you not do that?"
"Sorry, 'buddy'." Keith replied, suddenly grabbing Ansem's glove. "But I'm afraid I don't need any speed bumps on my way to the cash."
"Keith, what are you-"
"Well, the plan is to take your star chips and shove you overboard." Keith proceeded to do just that, as Ansem plummeted over the side of the boat, looking up at an Intercontinental Champion doubled over with laughter.
"KEITH!" Ansem cried in rage, as he slammed into the water, disappearing beneath the waves.
"Happy trails!" Keith cried, as he then headed off, still laughing maniacally.
Ansem emerged onto the surface, checking to make sure his deck was all right- and it was, within his airtight pocket. After a brief sigh of relief, he watched the boat head away, quickly disappearing over the evening horizon.
Knowing the icy water would eventually claim him; Ansem began heading in the direction of the shore- but knowing himself to be miles from land, Jaeger eventually gave in to the current, and subconsciously rode the waves, further out to sea. As he began to lose all remnants of strength, staring up at the darkened sky, his eyes happened to behold something not far away- a massive red shape encircling over the water.
The shape was relatively serpentine, though it had four tiny legs visible, its body was long and winding, like a snake's. A massive head sat at the creature's front, rimmed with two massive jaws. From each respective jaw lanced forth beams of light.
Unable to maintain consciousness, Ansem finally fell, slowly sinking
beneath the waves…