Marvel: Little Genius - Chapter: 404 (Patreon)

"Strange, do you still remember what I once taught you? Magic must be used to defeat magic!"

Just when Thanos seemed to have a sudden bout of teenage angst for no apparent reason, Mark didn't pay attention to him. Instead, he was communicating with Doctor Strange through a magical link.

"Of course, I remember. Every lesson you taught me left a lasting impression," Doctor Strange replied to Mark, a hint of an enigmatic smile playing on his lips.

But Mark could tell from his expression that everything up to this point was still within the timeline he had foreseen. In other words, the 100% success rate had not been broken yet. It just seemed that before they succeeded, they would have to endure some difficult challenges.

"Now that you remember, let me teach you another lesson. To deal with the Infinity Stones, you must use the Infinity Stones to defeat your opponent."

In response to Mark's statement, Doctor Strange nodded with the same expression. Currently, Thanos held four Infinity Stones, while the other two were in the possession of Mark, who guarded the Mind Stone, and Doctor Strange, who guarded the Time Stone.

"Later, I will attempt to cast an illusion on Thanos using the Mind Stone, pulling his consciousness into the illusionary space I've created. If the plan succeeds, Strange, you will use the Time Stone to slow down time for me and Thanos. Then, like I just did, use a portal to take the Infinity Gauntlet. If the plan fails... you should immediately return to Earth with the Time Stone and our other comrades. I will use the forbidden technique·Two-way foil on Titan."

Doctor Strange didn't object to Mark's crazy plan and didn't offer any opinions, simply nodding in agreement.

This was the cost of peering into the future with the Time Stone. Once he knew the only path to success, Doctor Strange's options were limited. To avoid branching timelines, he couldn't reveal information about the future. Instead, he had to follow the established plan while exerting his subjective initiative to guide events toward the desired outcome.

"I'm ready," Doctor Strange said as he unsealed the Eye of Agamotto and activated the spell that controlled time.

On Mark's end, he received Doctor Strange's response and acted swiftly. He tapped into the magical power within himself, connecting it to the power within the Mind Stone. With the amplified psychic energy, he began trying to infiltrate Thanos's mind and cast the Tsukuyomi.

When he had previously cast the Tsukuyomi on Ebony Maw, Mark had chosen to focus on his own dominant soul aspects, considering Maw's formidable psychic abilities. This allowed him to successfully perform the illusion.

But when it came to Thanos, it was a different story. Thanos held the Soul Stone, and his awareness and defense against soul energy were clearly beyond what Ebony Maw could compare with. Even Mark didn't dare to risk probing him.

Therefore, when dealing with Thanos, Mark changed his strategy when casting the Tsukuyomi. He focused more on the dominant mental aspect strengthened by the Mind Stone, bypassing the defensive barrier formed by the Soul Stone.

Mark's vast magical power and the nearly inexhaustible energy within the Mind Stone were continuously converted through magical runes, transforming into mental energy. This energy quietly seeped into Thanos's mental world.

Once this infiltration reached a certain point, it was as if Mark had left a backdoor in Thanos's consciousness. Through this backdoor, Mark could swiftly drag Thanos's consciousness into Tsukuyomi space he had constructed.

"It's almost done, just a little more!" Mark was feeling extremely tense at this moment. The impending battle between Thanos and them was on the brink, but he had to carefully execute his plan without accelerating the penetration of mental energy. If he sped up, Thanos might detect his actions.

Mark could only pray that his infiltration would be completed before Thanos initiated his attack. Otherwise, if Thanos gathered his resolve, the earlier infiltration would be in vain, and Mark might never get another chance like this.

However, just as Mark's mental penetration was about to be completed, a figure he had completely not anticipated suddenly broke through the ranks and appeared in front of Thanos all by himself.

"Star-Lord! I remember I clearly used the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak to restrain him..." Mark turned his gaze to where Star-Lord had been bound moments ago, only to find that the Crimson Bands had broken into several pieces, scattered on the ground.

This artifact, forged by the godlike being Cyttorak, had previously successfully trapped Kaecilius and Ebony Maw. Now, it had been completely destroyed by Star-Lord, who seemed a bit goofy and lacked any combat power. Mark couldn't believe it.

"Is it the power of the Celestial bloodline within Ego's DNA..." Mark speculated with uncertainty.

But before he had a chance to verify his own answer, Star-Lord had already confronted Thanos. This development put Mark in a difficult situation. Star-Lord's sudden approach instantly raised Thanos's guard.

Not only did all of Mark's previous efforts go to waste, but the backlash from the mental energy also left him mentally fatigued. His face turned pale.

Mental losses were not like physical injuries, which could be rapidly restored through the power of regeneration. It was safe to say that sinking into such a predicament at such a critical moment was a further blow to their side.

If Thanos were to make a move to seize the Mind Stone in Mark's possession now, he would have no means to resist. His damaged mental state not only prevented him from harnessing magic, but he also lacked the physical prowess for combat.

"Tell me where Gamora is! I don't care about your ambitions to restore cosmic balance or your desire to erase half of life, but if you dare to harm a hair on Gamora's head, I will make you witness the power and tactics of the legendary leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star-Lord."

On the other side, Star-Lord was still completely unaware that he had disrupted Mark's carefully planned operation, which had also left Mark severely injured. He stood before Thanos, agitated, and demanded to know Gamora's whereabouts with a fierce look in his eyes.

However, it wasn't just empty threats from him. Star-Lord's current state closely resembled that of Thor when he had just awakened his powers as the God of Thunder.

Unless one observed closely, they might not notice, but Mark possessed informational vision, and nothing escaped his notice. Unintentionally, Star-Lord was emitting faint arcs of blue energy, a sign of his awakened Celestial power, although he hadn't yet gained control over this newfound energy.

However, this did provide an answer to Mark's question about how Star-Lord had escaped the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. If it was due to the awakening of Celestial power, it made perfect sense.

Star-Lord's Celestial power could be seen as a diluted version of the Reality Stone, as he lacked a planet like his father Ego to provide energy and his abilities had just awakened, imposing certain limitations on their use.

Overall, having Star-Lord, who had awakened this weakened version of the Reality Stone, versus Mark, who could manipulate the power of the Mind Stone and had significant combat abilities, was undoubtedly a losing proposition. The situation for the superheroes on this side had not improved in any way.

Fortunately, Star-Lord's unauthorized action had also delayed Thanos's actions. After Star-Lord mentioned Gamora, Thanos fell silent, furrowing his brow. He neither answered Star-Lord nor attacked him.

"I'm asking you, where is Gamora!" Star-Lord yelled again at Thanos, making everyone behind him nervously sweat.

Star-Lord's power leakage became even more pronounced due to his anger, and everyone in the room had now noticed the changes in Star-Lord, especially Mantis, who had served under Ego. She kept muttering "Celestial power" under her breath while observing Star-Lord.

"Gamora is already dead," replied a voice that Star-Lord was familiar with, but it wasn't Thanos who responded. It was Nebula, Thanos's other adopted daughter and Gamora's sister.

"Nebula! What are you saying? What do you mean she's dead? I don't believe it!" Star-Lord looked at Nebula, vehemently denying her words.

"Gamora is dead, whether you believe it or not. That's the truth! Thanos captured me, threatened Gamora to reveal the location of the Soul Stone, and then took her to Vormir. But now, he has obtained the Soul Stone, and Gamora hasn't returned. Isn't that enough to prove the point? I escaped from captivity to come here for my sister Gamora's revenge—Prepare to meet your end, Thanos!"

With a determined look in her eyes, Nebula screamed in sorrow and raised the dagger in her hand as she charged towards the grief-stricken Thanos.

But Thanos was still Thanos, even when he wasn't in top condition, and Nebula was no match for him. With a single sweep of his hand, no matter how fast Nebula was charging at him, she was sent flying even faster.

Boom! Nebula was forcefully thrown to the ground, and some of the mechanical implants that had been implanted into her body became slightly dislodged due to the impact.

Star-Lord didn't turn to check Nebula's condition. He stared intensely at Thanos, clenching his teeth, and asked, "Tell me she's lying! You bastard, tell me you didn't do it!"

"I had to..."

"!" Upon hearing Thanos's response, the Celestial power within Star-Lord, which had been burning with anger, fully awakened and erupted—Boom!

A massive surge of energy swept up the dust on the ground, creating a cataclysmic phenomenon resembling a sandstorm that enveloped an area several kilometers in radius. Under the force of this power, both Thanos and the superheroes behind Star-Lord were pushed back, leaving deep trenches on the ground.

Star-Lord, covered in sparks and lightning, with glowing eyes, resembled Thor when he had awakened his God of Thunder powers. Could it be that the descendants of gods all have the same skin when their bloodline potential awakens?

"Ha!" Star-Lord, who had lost his reason, instinctively controlled the Celestial power surging from his body in a raw manner, directing it directly at Thanos.

Boom! A massive surge of energy shook the space with intense explosions, and it took a full minute for everything to settle down.

Bang! Star-Lord, who had unleashed his anger-driven power uncontrollably, fell flat on the ground at the exact moment the attack ceased. It was the aftermath of an excessive energy outburst.

Drax and Mantis, two members of the Guardians of the Galaxy, rushed to Star-Lord's side to check on him. Upon finding that he had a steady heartbeat and normal breathing, they breathed a sigh of relief and moved him to the side for care.

"It's not time to relax yet," reminded Captain, who had been closely monitoring the battlefield. His combat intuition, honed through extensive experience, told him that Thanos hadn't fallen to Star-Lord's powerful attack.

Whoosh...

Suddenly, a strong wind swept across the once calm Titan, gradually carrying away the dust and revealing Thanos' figure within. The Space Stone within the Infinity Gauntlet emitted a dazzling blue light, and Thanos, standing at the center of the explosion, had no visible injuries on his body. His mental state was no longer filled with sorrow but was now brimming with determination and battle readiness.

"Get out of the way!" Mark shouted at Captain and the others.

Sizzle! As soon as Mark's words fell, the Space Stone on the Infinity Gauntlet once again emitted a brilliant light, and a surge of energy rushed directly towards the Avengers.

It turned out that Star-Lord's massive attack just now had all been redirected by Thanos using the Space Stone. Now, he was returning all of the energy back to Star-Lord.

Mark had already sensed the spatial fluctuations and gave a warning to his companions in advance. Quicksilver and Captain reacted the fastest, swiftly dodging the incoming energy flow.

However, there was one person who remained in place and didn't move – Doctor Banner. His unfamiliarity with controlling the Hulkbuster armor prevented him from reacting in time, and the immense weight of the Hulkbuster armor made it impossible for Quicksilver and the captain to rescue him.

Star-Lord's full-power Celestial attack, if it hit the Hulkbuster armor head-on, would be devastating, even if the armor's defenses were remarkable. If Hulk didn't intervene in this crisis, with Doctor Banner's ordinary human physique, he would likely be reduced to nothing.

Mark, noticing this, didn't hesitate. He forcefully tapped into his recently restored mental strength and pulled Doctor Banner into the Mirror Dimension.

A deadly crisis narrowly averted, and after the energy flow dissipated, Doctor Strange also pulled Doctor Banner out of the Mirror Dimension.

"I am inevitable, and your resistance cannot stop my actions. You should hand over the Infinity Stones to me, accept the choices made by destiny, and then you will see what the world will be like when the balance of population and resources is restored!"

"That's a hellish fate for humanity! Because the friends and families of those you've erased will make tombstones on the desolate surfaces of countless planets. And the pain and tragedy caused by this act of genocide will not diminish in the slightest until their deaths. You are not destiny; you're just an arrogant madman!"

Tony Stark spoke up at this moment. Since the Battle of New York and up to the creation of the artificial intelligence Ultron to protect Earth's peace, Tony had been preparing. Even when Pepper continuously opposed him spending so much time in the lab, he persevered in upgrading his Iron Man armor.

And today, at this very moment, all the efforts he had made were about to bear witness. He was determined to defeat the universe's most deranged proponent of mass extinction to guard everything he valued and cherished!