[Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, ATK 4000 → ATK 3200]
Kira: "By reducing Hamon's attack, he gains immunity to Dark Hole."
"But as for Lord of Phantasms and his tokens—get rid of them!"
Tragoedia shouted. The Dark Hole activated, its endless gravity sucking in all the Phantasm Tokens, shredding them into pieces. Even the mighty Lord of Phantasms could do nothing but roar before his form collapsed, breaking apart into countless golden lights that faded away.
"But his own monsters are affected, too." Jaden said.
Indeed, under Dark Hole, all are equal—it doesn't matter if you're a burning star; you're as insignificant as a firefly. The Supremacy Sun twisted and shattered under the Dark Hole, vanishing quickly.
Misawa frowned. "He knew his own Sun would get swallowed. So why summon it first and then use Dark Hole?"
His doubt was soon answered.
"First, the effect of 'Ebon Sun': when your own monster is destroyed, you recover life points equal to its attack."
Tragoedia said coldly.
"When The Supremacy Sun is destroyed, its attack is 3000, so I recover 3000 life points!"
[Tragoedia, LP 6300 → LP 9300]
"9300 life points!" Alexis exclaimed.
Nearing 10,000 LP was certainly visually striking.
"Next, I activate the spell card 'Card of Heaven and Earth.'" Tragoedia continued. "The turn you perform a Tribute Summon, you can draw two cards from your deck. However, these cards can't be used this turn; if you can set any, you must set at least one before the end of the turn." (Manga Card)
Tragoedia drew two cards, then gave a low chuckle.
"Then I set one card face-down in my back row. End of turn."
Tragoedia paused, then said indifferently:
"Of course, at the end of the turn, 'Forbidden Lance' ends. Hamon's attack returns to normal."
[Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, ATK 3200 → ATK 4000]
Kira: "Then it's my turn. Draw."
"No matter what, his field is empty now." Jaden said. "A great chance to attack!"
"Heh… is it really, though?"
Tragoedia laughed, then became cold.
"Take a good look at my field! The Sun isn't just the greatest of the planetary series; it's an immortal god!" Tragoedia raised his hand. "When the Sun sets, it always rises again.
Descend in an even more blazing form—
—The Supremacy Sun, revive!"
It was as if a blazing fireball rose from the horizon, burning in the night! From the flames, the giant's body emerged, armored and towering beneath the stars.
[The Supremacy Sun, ATK 3000]
"Huh? Why!?" Chazz exclaimed.
"Hahaha! The Supremacy Sun is immortal!" Tragoedia boomed. "Its effect: if this card is sent to the graveyard in any way, it revives during your next Standby Phase!" (Manga effect)
The real card kept this effect, but with nerfs: it can't be Special Summoned except by its own effect, and you must discard a card to revive it, making it less practical.
"But that's not all." Tragoedia continued, "The Continuous Spell 'Ebon Sun' has another effect.
Whenever a monster is Special Summoned from your graveyard, that monster gains 1000 ATK!"
[The Supremacy Sun, ATK 3000 → ATK 4000]
"So, these two cards—Ebon Sun and The Supremacy Sun—are made to support each other." Misawa realized.
The Supremacy Sun can revive itself when destroyed, restoring a large amount of LP, and when revived, it gains an attack boost from the Continuous Spell.
"What a scary combo," Misawa muttered.
"This is a problem. Now Hamon's power isn't enough to break through the Sun." Kira shrugged.
Even if you use effects to temporarily boost Hamon's attack and defeat the Sun, it revives next turn and your opponent regains 4000 LP.
"In addition, since I Special Summoned a monster from my graveyard," Tragoedia said, "the Continuous Spell 'Card of Safe Return' also activates.
I draw a card."
Tragoedia drew another card.
That's why he included Card of Safe Return—to further support the Sun. At this point, his strategy was clear: the deck revolves around The Supremacy Sun, maximizing its returns through every self-revival.
Kira thought for a moment, then waved his hand.
"Then I activate the Field Spell 'Fallen Paradise.' If I control any of the three Sacred Beasts, once per turn I can draw two cards."
He drew two cards.
He glanced at his hand, eyes narrowing.
There was a way.
"I switch 'Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder' to defense position," Kira said, "and set two cards. End turn."
Hamon's massive body crouched, folding its bony wings like a shield. Blue lightning snaked in front of it, forming a transparent shield.
[Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, ATK 4000 → DEF 4000]
"Reinforcing your defense," Tragoedia gloated. "Heh, you finally realize your Sacred Beasts can't match the Sun?"
Hamon, not sure if it understood, let out a low growl, as if to say, "Don't get cocky. You'll see soon enough."
"My turn, draw!"
It was Tragoedia's turn again.
"First, I activate the spell 'Magic Planter'! Send a Continuous Spell to the graveyard to draw two cards!" (Anime effect)
He had three Continuous Spells in his back row. Tragoedia selected one and briefly displayed it.
"I send 'Precious Cards from Beyond' to the graveyard. Draw two cards."
After sending the card, he drew two cards.
He looked up, sneering at Hamon in defense position.
"Hmph, you think putting your Sacred Beast in defense will stop the Sun's advance just because their ATK and DEF are the same? So naive!"
He waved his hand.
"The Supremacy Sun, attack 'Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder'!"