HP Wildcard
Chapter 22
…
A small placard rose up to hover on the left side of their ring and they opened their boards. Harry immediately noticed the intricate decoration of the Indians.
"Nice."
Jaspreet smiled, "Made it myself."
"You can do that?"
The Indian chuckled, "With knowledge and the right tools there's nothing you can't do."
The placard lit up, a game phase tracker, and informed them Jaspreet had the first turn. He drew his card and they were off.
"I summon Karait in defense mode."
It was a small snake, dusty brown in color, almost invisible it was so unassuming.
A 300 D 200
It must have an effect, was Harry's first thought. It was a snake, so it was probably venomous. Must have something to do with that.
"I lay one card face down and end my turn."
Harry drew then considered. He had a few attack options. He didn't trust the little snake though. Better to set up a defense first so he wouldn't be left wide open if he lost his first monster.
"I summon Lava Rat in defense mode."
The rat from the infernal realm waddled onto the field and promptly crawled under its shield of hair.
A 200 D 1800
"I lay two cards face down and end my turn" the rat was a solid defender, but it was always good to have options.
Jaspreet nodded at his play, "Most your age would have gone for the attack."
"You know many people my age?"
"My nieces are about your age, twins" he chatted as he sorted his cards, "I summon Rainbow Viper in attack mode."
Another snake, much larger than the last. Its scales shimmered and were colored in bands from Red to Violet like a rainbow down the length of its body.
A 800 D 400
Harry was beginning to see the theme of his opponent's deck, but Jaspreet wasn't done, "I'll also activate Serpents nest, increasing the attack of all my reptiles by 200."
The Indians side of the field transformed into a lush jungle with a pit at the center. The pit was full of eggs and Harry watched the two snakes circle round it protectively.
"I believe that will do for now" he said.
Harry drew, "I summon Engorged Runespoor."
His three-headed snake hissed viciously at the two lesser serpents who cowered in its presence.
"Magnificent" Jaspreet admired.
"Engorged Runespoor, attack Rainbow Viper."
The triple snake obeyed, lashing out and obliterating the colorful reptile.
"Now, attack Karaite."
The middle head struck at the tiny serpent. At the last second the dust brown snake retaliated, latching on to his Runespoors throat even as the larger serpent grabbed hold of it.
Harry watched the two simultaneously shattered, "Knew there had to be an effect."
"Indeed" the Indian chuckled, "Any monster that does battle with Karaite is destroyed. His venom is most potent."
"I'll remember that if I ever see him, I end my turn."
J 900 H 1000
"Very good" he drew, "I summon, King Cobra Nag."
He watched the frightful serpent with the striking hood slither out of the jungle. He was reminded of a story one of his teachers had read about a brave little mongoose and the English family it protected from two such creatures. Too bad he didn't have a mongoose in his deck.
A 1000 + 200 D 400
"My King has arrived yet even so, your shield protects you" Harry grinned, "for now" Jaspreet added.
The old man's smile was absent of malice, so Harry understood the comment as the playful ribbing it was. His next draw brought him a familiar fiery friend and more than enough power to deal with one snake.
"I summon Emerald Fire Dragon."
His dragon appeared out of a terrific blaze with a mighty roar to herald his arrival.
"Emerald Fire Dragon, attack his snake."
"Not so fast, I activate my trap, Spitting Cobra."
The dragon was halted mid lunge when Nag spit a stream of venom into his eyes.
"Spitting Cobra lowers your monsters attack by 300 points."
"That makes their attacks the same" said Harry.
The time when the dragon lunged the snake returned in kind. Both monsters shattered and Harry thought that was the end of it, but he was wrong.
"Now for Nag's effect" Jaspreet announced, and Harry cringed, "When King Cobra Nag is destroyed while Serpent's Nest is on the field I can special summon King Cobra Nagaina from my hand or deck."
This cobra was even bigger than the last and her attack strength reflected it.
A 1500 + 200 D 1300
His turn was over and he could only stand and watch as Jaspreet bolstered his force with yet another snake, "Twin headed snake!"
This one was an oddity. It was reddish orange and possessed no tail. Instead there was a head on both ends which both moved forward simultaneously, giving it the strangest manner of locomotion Harry had ever seen.
A 500 + 200 D 500 + 200
"Why did its defense go up?"
"His effect" Jaspreet explained, "any additions to one, attack or defense, are then applied to the other as well."
"No safe end to grab on this one" Harry quipped.
"Indeed" the Indian chuckled, "Now, Nagaina, attack Lava Rat."
Harry's eyes were unable to track the cobra's strike. There was a squeal from the oversized vermin before it died, leaving Harry defenseless.
"Now my Twin headed snake, attack him directly!"
Harry smiled when he said, "I must ask you to reconsider, with my trap The Judas contract."
The massive scroll halted the double snake and after a moments consideration it stuck both heads in the inkpot and stamped the contract.
"Mine now" said Harry with a cheeky grin.
"Isn't that just like a snake" said Jaspreet shaking his head and setting two cards face down before ending his turn.
"I don't plan on keeping him" Harry said, "I sacrifice Twin headed snake and summon Short faced bear!"
The massive ursine lumbered onto the field and roared at the snake who hissed back.
A 2000 D 1800
"Short faced bear, attack!"
"And activate my trap Paralytic Venom."
Nagaina preempted the bears attack with a lightning swift attack, scoring one quick bite on the bears paw which halted its assault.
"With Paralytic Venom your bear cannot attack for two turns."
"Well… nuts!"
The Indian grinned and drew his card, "I'll now activate my other face down card, Necrotic Venom, increasing Nagaina's attack 100 for each of her five levels. With that I will attack your Short faced bear."
"Which activates my trap, Enhanced Reflection."
This time the cobra's swift strike slammed strait into a wall of invisible force, repelling and shattering the deadly serpent and leaving the old Indian wide open.
"Oh dear. It would seem I've overextended."
J 700 H 1000
"Looks that way" said Harry, making his draw and summoning, "Obsidian Gargoyle."
His favorite rock dog slammed onto the field and at his command took it right to his opponent.
A 800 D 800
The old Indian stood stoically as the gargoyle rushed him and took a phantom bite, reducing his life points to 0
J 0 H 1000
The old man sketched a slight bow to Harry, "the draw was not with me today" he looked down at his cards, "bunch of traitors."
Harry chuckled, "That's funny."
Jaspreet looked startled, "What is funny?"
"Calling your cards traitors" Harry said hesitantly, fearing he may have insulted the man somehow.
"You heard that? You understood?"
"Well, yeah. Shouldn't I?"
"No" he said, staring wide eyed at the young man before him, "I was not expecting this."
"Expecting what?"
Before he could answer, the announcer's voice rang out, "All duels have now completed. Please check the board and move on to your next opponent."
Jaspreet looked startled, panicked even. Harry had no idea what was wrong, and he needed to go but he felt bad leaving. Whatever it was bothering him clearly seemed important.
The announcer repeated his message and the Indian came to a decision, "Find me before this tournament is over. There is something important I must tell you."
That said he briskly walked off and Harry was left with even more to worry about than before.
"This was supposed to be a fun day."