Marvel: Little Genius - Chapter: 401 (Patreon)

Knowing that their timeline held a one hundred percent chance of success, Mark had newfound confidence in the plan they were about to execute. However, before executing the well-thought-out plan, he needed to rally his now discouraged comrades.

"Everyone, there's no time left for us to wallow in despair. If we don't want Thanos's plan to succeed, our only choice is resistance. Pull yourselves together, give it your all, and strive to get closer to that one path of success. I believe that if we unite, this isn't entirely impossible.

Regardless of the sacrifices our resistance may bring, and no matter how slim our chances of success may seem, what's truly important right now isn't the 1 in 14,000,606 odds of success but a future where success and failure are equally balanced."

Mark may not have been emotionally intelligent or a master of speeches, but his words, backed by inner confidence and self-assuredness, resonated with every member of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy. He managed to uplift their morale from its previously low state.

Even Drax began to pay close attention to Tony's instructions for the ambush task. The other members assumed their predetermined roles, preparing for Thanos's return.

Meanwhile, Mark, accompanied by Mantis, arrived at the place where Ebony Maw was held captive. Mark couldn't fully trust Ebony Maw, and to ensure he didn't reveal anything critical at this stage, Mark planned to equip him with a device to keep him in check.

For added security during the plan's execution, Mark not only intended to install a device to balance Ebony Maw's powers but also called on Mantis to sense his emotions. If Ebony Maw harbored any rebellious thoughts, Mantis would be able to detect them.

The reason they didn't involve Scarlet Witch in probing Ebony Maw's memories was that they had already attempted it when Ebony Maw was unconscious. Although his entire body's abilities were sealed by the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, his powerful psychic abilities instinctively protected his mind from easy intrusion.

However, Mantis was different. Emotions were more outward and often had fewer protective measures. Ebony Maw himself probably never imagined he would experience such intense emotional fluctuations one day, so he hadn't set any defenses against it.

Following Mark's instructions, Mantis placed her hands on both sides of Ebony Maw's temples and began using her abilities to sense his emotions.

"He's very panicked and fearful. When he sees you, that fear intensifies significantly, accompanied by feelings of submission and reverence. But I haven't detected any thoughts of resistance or hatred."

After receiving confirmation from Mantis, Mark gained a new understanding of his created illusion magic, Tsukuyomi. He hadn't expected this magic to work so effectively on Ebony Maw. It made Ebony Maw so compliant that he didn't even dare to entertain thoughts of resistance. Even his fear of defying Thanos was suppressed by Ebony Maw's fear of the Tsukuyomi.

"Maybe I should try developing Kotoamatsukami as Illusion Magic as well in the future. That way, things would be much simpler. I could just directly modify Thanos's thoughts. I didn't realize the significant impact this type of mental magic would have when I first developed it. I had been focused on acquiring more powerful offensive abilities. Maybe I was heading in the wrong direction..."

Mark briefly fell into self-doubt, but thankfully, his strong will quickly snapped him out of it. There was no time for regret now. They had to utilize all the existing conditions and advantages to create the one path to success.

After installing a thought controller on Ebony Maw's neck, Mark released the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak restraints on him. The thought controller had the ability to sense emotional fluctuations in the target, similar to Mantis. However, it couldn't analyze or interpret the meaning behind these emotional fluctuations.

The primary function of the thought controller was to trigger a high-energy electromagnetic wave when Ebony Maw experienced intense emotional fluctuations during the mission. This would cause instantaneous brain death, preventing Ebony Maw from revealing Mark's plans.

However, once this function was triggered, it meant that they would have to go into direct battle with Thanos. At that point, all planning and strategies would be rendered ineffective, and the contest would come down to the strength and luck of both sides.

On the ruins of Titan, only Ebony Maw stood alone. The members of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, who had originally gathered there, had dispersed to their ambush positions, hiding themselves as much as possible.

After an unknown duration, the two enigmatic sorcerers from Earth, Mark and Doctor Strange, suddenly sensed spatial fluctuations caused by the tearing of space. Accompanying this wave was a massive release of energy.

Clearly, the spatial rift was not the result of mystical techniques used by sorcerers like Mark and Doctor Strange. Instead, it was forcefully created, opening a passage between two points in three-dimensional space. In the entire universe, only the Space Stone had the power to achieve this, and the Space Stone was currently in Thanos's possession.

As expected, a tall, purple figure emerged from the spatial rift, with a physique similar to the Hulk. From his square chin and purple skin, the surrounding superheroes had already recognized his identity – Thanos.

"Greetings, Lord Thanos, and welcome back to Titan!" Ebony Maw respectfully greeted Thanos, following the instructions Mark had given him.

"I've brought back the two Infinity Stones you instructed me to collect on Earth, the Time Stone and the Mind Stone. They are stored on the ship. Lord Thanos, please follow me into the spaceship to inspect them."

Ebony Maw's expression and actions showed no signs of abnormality; he turned naturally and was about to lead Thanos closer to the ambush set up by Mark and the others.

Thanos, with his stoic poker face, did not display any valuable information on his expression. However, when Ebony Maw took a few steps forward, he realized that Thanos hadn't followed him. Instead, Thanos remained motionless in place.

"What's the matter, Lord Thanos? Don't you want to obtain those two Infinity Stones faster?" Ebony Maw turned back, wearing a fawning expression as he inquired.

Thanos continued to stare directly into his eyes, then closed his eyes gently, shaking his head slightly. "It's a pity, Ebony Maw..."

Ebony Maw asked, "My Lord Thanos, I don't quite understand your meaning?"

"I'm just lamenting that you won't be able to witness the sight of the universe returning to balance with me. It's a shame," Thanos said, reaching out and grabbing Ebony Maw's head.

"Ebony Maw, when you decide to betray me, it's essential to take some precautions. I used the Soul Stone to examine your soul. Though I don't know who fractured it, it's evident that you can no longer bear the weight of our great ideal.

So, for the sake of the universe returning to balance, contribute with your life."

After these words, Thanos didn't inquire about Ebony Maw's reasons for betrayal or care about the underlying conspiracy. With a snap of his fingers, Ebony Maw's head was crushed like a ripe tomato, reduced to a pile of fragments.

"Now, little bugs hiding in the shadows, you can come out..."