Marvel: Little Genius - Chapter: 380 (Patreon)

"Darn it! Just as Mark said, even if we don't achieve the results we initially expected, we now hold the Agamotto's Eye and the time magic from the 'Book of Cagliostro'. We can completely reverse the unfavorable situation caused by the decision-making mistakes.

First, we'll deal with the three remaining fanatics of Dormammu on Earth, then destroy the magical network core of the New York Sanctum, luring Dormammu out of hiding.

I'll stay at the New York Sanctum. Wong, you and Mordo will assist Mark, ensuring he has enough time and space to release Two-Way Foil on Dormammu.

If any unexpected situation arises, I'll immediately use time manipulation magic to restore the New York Sanctum and reestablish Earth's magical defense network.

As the saying goes, 'If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get the tiger?' This time, the stakes are high, and it's worth giving it our all!"

Finally, after careful consideration, the newly appointed Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, made a decision about this matter.

And Wong and Mordo naturally followed the Sorcerer Supreme's decision, agreeing to change the original plan and join Mark in this risky adventure.

...

Dormammu's last three fanatics eventually came knocking, but in the face of Mark and others' formidable strength, even after drawing power from the Dark Dimension, they couldn't make much of a splash and were easily captured by Mark.

As for those lurking as Dormammu's successfully swayed fanatics in the shadows, even with Mark assisted by an intelligent being like Baymax, there was no way to locate and eliminate all of them.

But that's irrelevant now; these individuals can no longer influence the changing situation, nor can they shake their plans.

Their primary and sole task now is to prepare for the upcoming showdown with Dormammu.

"Two-Way Foil, huh... I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens when Dormammu encounters it. It should be quite a scene." Wong retrieved a Wand of Watoomb from the New York Sanctum's artifact vault, feeling eager for the impending battle.

The Wand of Watoomb enhances magical power, allowing the wielder to block and absorb any magical attack, redirecting it towards the opponent. The wand also possesses the ability to traverse and connect dimensions, serving as a substitute for the Sling Ring. Additionally, it grants the user heightened psychic awareness, and creates magical screens to observe and control or attack anything in any dimension.

This wand was specifically chosen by Wong to confront Dormammu, aligning perfectly with his own abilities.

On the other hand, Mordo didn't make excessive preparations. For him, having the Ring, Staff of the Living Tribunal on his back, and the Valto Jumping Boots on his feet was already sufficient. The crucial thing was to adjust his mindset, avoiding being too nervous and fearful, which might lead to losing the ability and courage to attack the enemy.

Doctor Strange was also systematically making preparations for the impending battle. Although he didn't need to directly face Dormammu's threat, as Earth's last line of defense, his role and importance were self-evident.

Currently, he was focused on familiarizing himself with the usage of the Eye of Agamotto and studying the various details about time magic in the 'Book of Cagliostro'.

However, if we were to talk about the most anxious person, that would be Mark. This time, it wasn't just another face-to-face encounter with Dormammu, but it also concerned the safety of Earth and the success of the research on the Two-Way Foil. This burdened Mark mentally.

In the eyes of Doctor Strange and the others, Mark appeared to be just sitting in a chair, closing his eyes to gather himself and adjust his state. But in reality, Mark was activating his accel world ability, tirelessly simulating various applications of the Two-Way Foil.

Mark's psychological pressure didn't primarily stem from Dormammu, and he hadn't really concerned himself too much with Dormammu all along. All Dormammu power came from within the Dark Dimension. As long as he couldn't break free from this restraint, he wouldn't be able to unleash his true potential.

Not to mention that he had once repelled Dormammu alongside the Ancient One, and even in the original storyline, even without his presence, Doctor Strange still forced Dormammu to compromise. Moreover, possessing the innate advantage of being a reincarnator, it wouldn't be difficult for him to protect the New York Sanctum and thwart Dormammu's plans.

Mark's psychological pressure mainly originated from the validation of the Two-Way Foil, the success of his ongoing research had always been his foremost concern. It was also the key factor in this battle against Dormammu.

The Two-Way Foil, as a means of deterrence that couldn't form conventional combat capabilities, needed people to be aware of its power to have the desired effect.

And this time, Dormammu's attack could be considered Mark's only opportunity before the arrival of Thanos, an opportunity to demonstrate Earth's strength to the entire Nine Realms, even the universe. It was the sole chance to substantially validate the power of the Two-Way Foil.

If this plan ultimately didn't achieve the anticipated results, then even though Mark could continue to research the Two-Way Foil, how could an untested weapon be relied upon to have an effect against Thanos, who possesses the Infinity Stones?

...

"Mark, the time has come!"

Mark opened his tightly shut eyes, and before him stood Wong, fully prepared. Behind Wong, Doctor Strange and Mordo also seemed ready with solemn expressions.

Mark stood up from his chair, his tone resolute, "Let's begin our operation!"

Ever since Mark convinced Doctor Strange and the others, Baymax had been transferring his program and data into the Mind Stone. Now the transfer was complete, so there was no need to worry that he would lose his place to exist if the magical network were to be destroyed and forcibly shut down.

The group arrived at the most crucial part of the magical network core within the New York Sanctum. Wong glanced at the others and then directly activated the Wand of Watoomb. A powerful attack struck the core.

With a crisp sound of shattering, numerous tiny cracks appeared on the magical network core. These cracks intertwined and merged, forming visible large fissures. Eventually, the entire core shattered into pieces. Simultaneously, the magical protective web that had maintained Earth's peace and time was also destroyed.

Soon, as if sensing that the only layer of protection on Earth had disappeared, Dormammu moved like a shark scenting blood. Mark, with his heightened magical perception, sensed the magical elements and spatial fluctuations brought about by the overlay of the Dark Dimension in space.

The next moment, the sky over New York City was enveloped by a dark cloud, as if an immensely powerful storm was brewing.

However, Doctor Strange and his group knew that a massive crisis was indeed brewing there, but it wasn't a storm. It was Dormammu, greedily attempting to engulf Earth.

"It's the Dark Dimension! Dormammu is coming..." Mordo looked at New York City covered in dark energy, shrouded in what seemed like eternal night, and spoke with a serious tone.

When facing such an immense and unfathomably powerful enemy, anyone would inevitably feel concern and unease. Even Mordo, in the face of a scene that resembled the end of the world, was no exception.

All the psychological preparations, the efforts to bolster one's spirit and confidence, had all become meaningless in this moment. What remained was the innate, genetically ingrained fear of danger and the instinct to submit to the powerful.

However, what makes humanity great, what makes it the dominant force on the planet, is one of the most important abilities and qualities—it's the ability to restrain their own instincts, to compel themselves to challenge the impossible.

Not only Mordo but also Wong and Doctor Strange, beside him, were equally awed by this unprecedented spectacle. Yet, after a brief moment of distraction, they managed to readjust their mindsets, suppressing the emotions that had arisen.

Mark understood the feelings they had now; after all, not everyone could be as fearless as the Ancient One, and not everyone was as accustomed to such grand scenes as he was.

He tapped Doctor Strange on the shoulder, sending an encouraging gaze to the three of them. "Don't be afraid. I'm in the front to lead the way. Your responsibility is to cooperate with me. Especially you, Strange. As long as you manage things here, we can face Dormammu without burdens and fight with all our might."

Doctor Strange nodded solemnly, directly activating the Eye of Agamotto and preparing his time manipulation magic. He wrapped the magic runes around his wrist, ready to restore the shattered magical network core in the New York Sanctum at any moment.

Behind Doctor Strange, his levitating cloak detached from his shoulders. It positioned itself like a sentinel, standing not far from him, guarding the surroundings.

"Terminator, assist the Cloak of Levitation. If you detect any forces or individuals approaching, expel them immediately. If warnings and expulsion fail, then in a critical moment of threat, I authorize you to activate combat mode and eliminate all threats!"

Mark also cautiously gave Terminator the command, ensuring both it and the Cloak of Levitation would protect Doctor Strange's absolute safety.

Then he turned to Wong and Mordo and said, "We should set off as well. If we delay too long, Earth will truly be consumed by the Dark Dimension."

Wong and Mordo nodded. In the next moment, Mark cast a spell on them. Both of them floated in mid-air like feathers.

This was a flight spell Mark developed based on the anti-gravity model of superconducting magnetic levitation. While Mordo could briefly leave the ground using the Valto Jumping Boots, it wouldn't allow him to fly for an extended period. As for Wong, his physique indicated that he had never considered flying.

They couldn't open a portal through the Sanctums to access the Dark Dimension as Dormammu is the practical controller of the Dark Dimension. Furthermore, when it came to spatial magic, Dormammu's proficiency far exceeded theirs.

Therefore, in order to approach Dormammu's true form, they had to enter the Dark Dimension, which was closely linked to Earth, through flight.

If the Two-Way Foil could ultimately function as intended, then when Dormammu is weakened, the three of them could open a portal and return to Earth. However, if the outcome didn't meet expectations, the Dark Dimension would become their eternal resting place.

In other words, they had no retreat, no room for failure. Victory was the only option; any failure would plunge them into an abyss from which they could never escape.

With Wong and Mordo, Mark swiftly approached the Dark Dimension, its energy now extending to cover the entirety of America.

At the point where the two-dimensional worlds intersected, they could already clearly see that within the Dark Dimension, there were countless small and large planets, like pearls strung together by dark energy, devoid of any trace of vitality.

These were all planets that Dormammu had previously devoured, using them to connect and extend the dark energy. This allowed Dormammu to gain more authority within the Dark Dimension, and the scope of his perception became even greater.

If all their meticulous planning failed this time, and even Doctor Strange couldn't hold the final line of defense, one could imagine that in the near future, Earth would also become one of these small planets.

The trio's flight speed was swift. Without consuming much time, they had already delved deep into the heart of the Dark Dimension, or rather, into the core area controlled by Dormammu. Because before them, the immense and dark visage of Dormammu had already become clear.

"We meet again, Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj! However, this time, you won't be as fortunate as before. Your world now belongs to me!"

Before Mark and the others could act, Dormammu, who had already noticed them, spoke first. Clearly, he still held a vivid memory of Mark's actions against him last time, and he bore a grudge.

Before the words even finished, he had already launched a fierce attack against Mark and his companions.

In this space of the Dark Dimension, everything had fallen under Dormammu's control. Whether it was matter or energy, everything was directed like surging waves toward Mark and his companions.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Mordo transformed his Staff of the Living Tribunal into a whip, constantly twirling it in front of him, deflecting all the incoming attacks.

On the other hand, Wong and Mark had an easier time. Wong channeled magic into the Wand of Watoom, conjuring a magical shield that could defend against both physical and magical attacks, intercepting all the assaults. Mark took cover behind Wong, seizing the opportunity to prepare for the Forbidden Spell – the Two-Way Foil.

Before long, the person hiding behind Wong became two, as Mordo, running low on energy, eventually gave up his resistance and sought shelter behind Wong to recover.

"How much longer do you need, Mark? My magic is nearly depleted!" Wong, without paying attention to Mordo's shameless behavior, looked at Mark with his forehead covered in sweat.

Simply outputting magic might seem easy and enjoyable at the beginning when magic reserves are abundant. But as consumption continued, this persistence became akin to running a marathon, subjecting both body and spirit to immense tests.

At this point, Wong was on the verge of collapse.

However, until Mark accurately confirmed to him that he was ready, even if he was on the brink of collapse, he had to hold on.

"It's almost ready. Hold on for a moment!" Mark manipulated the magic, forming the intricate magical array of the Two-Way Foil, all while reporting the situation.

Just as his forbidden spell was about to be completed, Dormammu's voice came once again, "What are you doing? What's going on?"

Seemingly sensitive to the threat posed by the Two-Way Foil, Dormammu ceased his attacks and fixed his gaze on the nearly completed magical array in Mark's hand, attempting to glean some useful information from it.

"Similar to how you sent a bit of your world's ability to the Kamar-Taj, I've also brought a little something from my homeworld for you. I hope you'll accept it and enjoy the surprise I've brought you..."

"Mordo, be ready. Once the Two-Way Foil hits Dormammu, immediately open the portal and take us back to Earth!" After ending his conversation with Dormammu, Mark turned his head and quietly instructed Mordo.

"This is the Two-Way Foil, a forbidden magic I've created, and you, Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, will be its first test subject."

"You have quite the audacity! I'll make you all pay with your lives—!" Enraged at being treated as an experiment by Mark, Dormammu roared in fury.

The shockwave generated by this outburst formed an airstream storm, causing the magical membrane in front of Wong to tremble wildly, as if it could shatter at any moment.

However, Dormammu's reign of intimidation didn't last long, for just a second after his menacing words, the Two-Way Foil array was completed. Mark then unleashed it directly at Dormammu using a burst of magical energy.

At the moment the Two-Way Foil descended, Dormammu had no idea what it was or what kind of power it possessed. Yet, his intuition told him that this magic was dangerous, the kind of danger that could threaten his immortal existence.

As a result, even before the true power of the Two-Way Foil erupted, Dormammu swiftly turned around and began to flee.

"Dormammu's running!?"