The Dragon Duelist
Chapter Six: Self-Doubt
Ansem wandered through Battle City in a daze, still reeling from his loss to Yugi. A few other duelists were aware of his defeat, but none dared to mock him- they knew how powerful he was. He passed duel after duel, challenger after challenger, never giving the time of day to anyone- his thoughts rested on Yugi's harsh statement.
"Remember that a duelist can never attain true power until they trust and respect their cards. Your Tri-Horned Dragon and the others in your deck respect and trust you- but you belittle them and call them worthless. If you trust in your beasts, and let your two powers intertwine… then maybe you really will be the unstoppable dragon duelist."
He must be kidding, Ansem thought, or… I don't know… trying to provoke me or disorient me. But the more he thought of that scenario, the less likely it became.
Have I been mistreating my monsters? Ansem Jaeger came to a halt and sat on a city bench, watching duelists pass in the early afternoon. Sure, I may not be the nicest guy, but I thought I was showing them the respect they deserve- they are my servants and I am their master.
Did I always think this way? Ansem wondered, as he examined his deck. No… I'm sure of it… I remember… back before I challenged Kaiba, I was starting out as a duelist… I had a group of Ultra Rare dragon cards- my two Red-Eyes, my Hyozanryu, and my Tri-Horned Dragon. No duelist could match my skill.
My skill…
No! Ansem cried to himself, my dragons are not my slaves! Without them, I'd have never beaten so many top duelists… it was their power I built my reputation on, and not my individual dueling ability…
I was a fool. I thought the game was all about power, just like Kaiba has always taught. His Blue-Eyes proved that power and strength mattered in this game…
…and yet…
…there's something that still haunts me. When I worked with the Rare Hunters, I learned of Yugi's greatest skill- a firm belief in a 'Heart of the Cards'.
Heart of the Cards…
…is it true? Is there really some kind of soul in these monsters? Is there really some form of connection generated between a duelist and their monster?
He lifted each of his dragons in turn. The Luster Dragon, that was instrumental in his defeat of Mai; the Serpent Night Dragon he won from Espa Roba; the two Red-Eyes he had so fortunately come across early in his dueling career; the Tyrant Dragon he had obtained from the Rare Hunters; Hyozanryu, which he had won in a minor league tournament; the massively powerful Mythic Dragon Marik had given him; the weak little Koumori Dragons and Lesser Dragon; and finally, his formerly greatest joy- the Tri-Horned Dragon.
It was the strongest dragon I could get! Ansem assured himself, Had Kaiba not bought all three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, I'd have cared nothing for these creatures. In the current game, they are all obsolete! Only the Luster Dragon and the Tyrant Dragon can endure… if the Mythic Dragon wasn't so hard to forge, it would be my top priority. And of course, my lower level dragons are only used for sacrifice or distraction.
Ansem Jaeger again withdrew cards from his deck- three Lord of Dragons and an equal number of Flutes. Of course, given how often I draw these, I don't need such creatures at my disposal. With even just one Blue-Eyes… my deck's strength could increase drastically.
But… if I am able to beat Kaiba, won't that mean my dragons are more useful than his Blue-Eyes? No… it merely means my own deck has the right mixture of support cards as well as powerful monsters…
One thing is clear. I must defeat Kaiba.
I must possess the Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Only then will I know if these creatures have any value…
Or…for that matter… if I have any value…
Ansem awoke from his trance and put his deck back together, lifting himself, and almost instantly laying eyes upon his target. Walking past, accompanied by a small person with a large briefcase, was his greatest opponent- wearing a smug grin as always, with a new white cloak and duel disc strapped to one wrist; Seto Kaiba- apparently accompanied by his younger brother Mokuba, had finally revealed himself. Most duelists fled at the sight of him, while others respectfully moved away, and others gave affirmative nods. Only Ansem dared to stand and face him- and he was one of the few who had ever addressed the expert duelist.
"What the-" Kaiba began as Ansem stepped forward, still dressed in his cloak and hood. "A Rare Hunter!" His surprise turned to amusement. "So, at last I meet one of you face-to-face."
"Save it, Seto." Ansem snapped back. Kaiba turned angry, hardly believing anyone would reply so harshly to him. "You know me- I am Ansem Jaeger, the duelist you defeated to become champion."
"Ansem Jaeger." Kaiba repeated as fury turned once again into amusement. "I didn't think you'd have the courage to show up. Been beating down weaker duelists, have you?"
"Actually I beat a few of the people you ranked higher than me." Ansem replied, thinking back to his duel with Mai. He stepped a few feet back and pointed his finger right in Kaiba's face. "And now, I've come for you!"
Kaiba smirked. "You challenge me? Again? Now, when my deck's strength is greater than ever?"
"Let's just say I've got powerful friends, Kaiba." Ansem explained. "We will duel! If I win, I claim two Locator cards, as well as two of you rarest cards- the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Obelisk the Tormentor!"
"You make it sound as though you have a chance." Kaiba noted. "I have no reason to duel you- you have nothing of value."
"Really?" Ansem asked. "How about the location of a certain Egyptian God Card?"
Kaiba instantly focused his attention on his former rival. "You know where one is? Tell me, right now!"
"Only if you beat me in a duel." Ansem persisted. "Admittedly, you have a lot to lose… but much to gain as well."
Kaiba slowly nodded. "Very well. Two Locator cards. When I beat you, you will give me your rarest card and tell me where this God Card is."
"When I win, you'll hand over those Locator cards and give me the two things in your deck I want the most!" Ansem countered.
"We shouldn't battle here." Kaiba observed. "Meet me in front of my headquarters. Bring me what I want."
"Good luck!" Mokuba called as the two left. "You'll need it!"
Ansem smiled.
Later, Ansem Jaeger stepped up to the massive Kaiba Corp. building, to find his nemesis waiting, Duel Disc already activated, deck set and Locator cards in one hand.
"Let's get this over with." Kaiba instructed. "I want those God cards in my deck before the finals."
"Don't worry." Ansem said as he activated his Duel Disc and slammed in his deck. "This won't take long."
4000 life points appeared on each of their Duel Discs, as the two lifted their starting hands.
"Now…" Kaiba declared. "It's time to duel!"