Marvel Little Genius

In every failed timeline that Doctor Strange travels to, he has to bear all the pain and death himself. Even if time can be turned back, this painful memory will still be deeply felt as he returns to the present time. The imprint is engraved in his mind and will not disappear.

Repeating this experience of repeated death thousands of times requires not only that the magic power of the caster is large enough, but also that the mental will must be strong enough.

In this sense, compared to Loki, the champion of suspended animation, Doctor Strange should be the person who has experienced the most death.

Dr. Strange breathed heavily and wiped the sweat from his head. Then he noticed that all the superheroes gathered around him, and he felt a little flattered.

"Have you come back to your senses? How do you feel?" As the big brother of the Avengers, the captain was the first to ask with concern.

"It feels terrible. I just traveled through time and space to foresee the future and experienced all the possible outcomes of our battle with Thanos."

"How many results have you seen?" Star-Lord, who had never seen magic, asked curiously.

"Fourteen million, six hundred and six species."

"How many times have we won?" Tony asked the question he was most concerned about.

"There is only one kind..."

When Doctor Strange told the answer, all the superheroes around him were silent for 910. Only Mark and Doctor Strange looked at each other.

Doctor Strange's eyes are self-evident. The only possibility of success lies in Mark; and Mark also guessed the meaning, because the possible results Doctor Strange saw were much better than what he remembered in his previous life. There is one more number, and this one should represent his variable that did not originally exist in these timelines.

After getting this information from Doctor Strange's eyes, Mark's originally worried heart could be said to be finally relieved. Since the extra timeline because of him is the only possibility of success.

This also means that in this timeline where he exists, the probability of them defeating Thanos is not one in fourteen million, six hundred and sixty-six as Tony and the others thought, but one hundred percent!

However, what Mark, immersed in the 100% winning rate, failed to notice was that in addition to the hope he placed in Doctor Strange's eyes, there was also deep regret and pain.

No one knows what Doctor Strange saw in the future timeline through the Time Stone that could make such complex emotions appear in his eyes. And before the final result arrives, in order to ensure the continuity of time, Strange The Doctor cannot reveal to anyone the specifics of what he saw or heard;

Whether it is a comedy or a tragedy, the unknown brings not only hope, but also despairing fear and pain...

Chapter 402

Second update

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Already knowing that the timeline of his existence will eventually achieve a 100% successful result, Mark also has confidence in the plan he is about to implement next.

But now, before executing the planned plan, he needs to cheer up his companions who have lost confidence.

"Everyone, there is no time left for us to be depressed and desperate. If we don't want to be trapped and defeated by Thanos' plan, then the only choice we can make is to resist.

Cheer up, work hard, and then try your best to move closer to the only road to success. I believe that if we unite, this is not completely impossible.

No matter what sacrifices our resistance will cause, and no matter how slim the success rate of this resistance is, for us now, what matters is not the 1 in 14 million, 606 chance of success, but It is a future where success and failure are evenly divided. "

Mark may not be a person with high emotional intelligence, let alone a master speaker, but because of the confidence and confidence in his heart, his speech successfully infected everyone in the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, changing their morale from the previous one. He was saved from a sluggish state.

Even Drax began to listen carefully to the ambush mission assigned by Tony, and hid himself according to the plan's instructions. The other members also took their positions according to the previous division of labor, preparing to welcome Thanos' return.

And Mark took Mantis to the place where Ebony Maw was imprisoned. Mark still couldn't rest assured about Ebony Maw, in order to ensure that he would not expose his secrets in this link.

In order to be more secure during the execution of this plan, Mark not only installed a device for Ebony Maw to check and balance him, but also specially called Mantis to sense his emotions. If Ebony Maw harbored any thoughts of rebellion, If so, Mantis can detect it.

The reason why the Scarlet Witch was not asked to explore Ebony Maw's memory was because they had already tried it before when Ebony Maw was unconscious. Although all the abilities of his body were sealed by the crimson magic belt, the powerful mental abilities still protected him instinctively. So that its brain cannot be easily invaded.

As Thanos's most trusted general, Ebony Maw's mental strength is undoubted, and the Scarlet Witch cannot break through the limitations of this strength to read the thoughts and memories in Ebony Maw's mind.

But Mantis is different. Compared with thoughts and memories that are difficult to detect, emotions are a kind of information that is more outgoing and has almost no protection. It is estimated that even Ebony Maw himself would not have thought that one day he would appear like this. Such a violent mood swing, so I didn't set up any defense measures in this regard.

Following Mark's instructions, Mantis placed her hands on both sides of Ebony Maw's temples and began to activate her own abilities, trying to feel the other person's emotions.

"He is panicked and frightened, and this fear will be strongly amplified when he sees you. At the same time, he will also be accompanied by emotions of surrender and awe, but I did not find any thoughts of resistance or hatred."

After receiving Mantis Woman's confirmation, Mark finally had a new understanding of the illusion he created, Tsukuyomi. He had no idea that this magic would be so effective on Ebony Maw, and he didn't even think of resisting. Not daring to rise, even the fear brought about by rebelling against Thanos was suppressed by Ebony Maw's fear of Tsukiyomi Space.

"Perhaps I should try to develop the illusion of other gods in the future. That way things will be much simpler. I can just modify Thanos's thoughts.

I never thought that this kind of spiritual magic would have such a significant effect after it was developed. I have been conducting research on obtaining more powerful attack power before, maybe I went in the wrong direction..."

Mark fell into self-doubt for a while, but fortunately he was determined and quickly came to his senses and no longer struggled with this aspect. It was too late to regret now. All they could do was to take advantage of all the existing conditions and advantages. , creating the only path to success.

Installing a thought controller on Ebony Maw's neck, Mark also untied the crimson magic belt from binding him. The Thought Controller has the same ability as Mantis to sense the emotional fluctuations of its subjects, but it cannot analyze and interpret the meaning of these emotional fluctuations.

The main function of the thought controller is to actively trigger high-energy electromagnetic waves when Ebony Maw suffers severe emotional fluctuations during the mission, causing him to be instantly brain-dead and unable to reveal Mark and their plans.

But once this function is triggered, it will be time for them to go to war directly with Thanos. At that time, all plans and strategies will be ineffective, and what can be competed is the strength and luck of both sides.

…

On the ruins of Titan, only Ebony Maw was standing there. The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy who were originally gathered together were now scattered around the ambush site, hiding themselves as much as possible. stand up.

I don’t know how long they waited, but Mark and Doctor Strange, the only mysterious mages in the earth camp, suddenly felt the spatial fluctuations caused by tearing apart the space. Along with this wave of fluctuations, there was also a huge energy aftermath that spread to the surroundings.

Obviously, the tearing of space is not achieved through magical skills by mysterious wizards like Mark and Doctor Strange, but by using huge energy to forcibly open a path between two points in the three-dimensional space. The only thing that can achieve this is the Space Stone in the entire universe, and the Space Stone is now in the hands of Thanos.

Sure enough, what came out of the crack in space was a tall purple figure, the same size as Dr. Banner after transforming into the Hulk. And from his shoe sole-like chin and purple potato-like skin color, the superheroes lurking around have recognized his identity - Thanos.

“ ”Welcome back to Titan, Lord Thanos!” Ebony Throat followed the mission assigned to him by Mark in advance and came to Thanos to greet him respectfully.

"I have brought back the two Infinity Stones, the Time Stone and the Mind Stone that you asked me to collect on Earth. They are placed in the battleship. Lord Thanos, please follow me to the spacecraft to check them out."

Ebony Maw's expression and movements did not show any abnormality. He turned around very naturally and was about to lead Thanos closer to the encirclement where Mark and the others had set up an ambush.

Thanos still has an expressionless poker face, and you can't see any valuable information from his face. But when Ebony Throat took a few steps forward, he discovered that Thanos did not follow him at all, but stopped in place and did not move.

"What's wrong, Lord Thanos? Don't you want to get those two infinity stones faster?" Ebony Throat turned around and asked with a flattering look.

Thanos just stared straight into his (Nod's) eyes, then closed his eyes again, and shook his head gently, "What a pity Ebony Throat..."

Ebony Throat: "Lord Thanos' subordinates don't quite understand what you mean?"

"I'm just regretting that you can't see the scene with me after the universe is restored to balance. It's such a pity-" As he said that, Thanos reached out and grabbed Ebony Maw's head.

"Ebony Throat, since you have decided to betray me, you still have to be on guard! Check your soul through the soul gem. Although I don't know who made it fragmented, it is obvious that you can no longer bear our greatness. The ideal.

So, in order for the entire universe to return to a state of balance again, contribute with your life. "

After saying that, Thanos didn't ask the reason for Ebony Maw's betrayal, nor did he care about what kind of conspiracy there was, poof -! Between the opening and closing of his palms, Ebony Throat's head was like a ripe tomato, turning into a pile of scraps.

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

Chapter 403

Third update

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"I have paid a high price for this day to come. However, Ebony Maw still completed his mission. I can sense that the remaining two Infinity Stones are nearby.

What - are you going to continue hiding like this? "

As he spoke, Thanos clenched his left hand wearing the Infinity Gauntlet into a fist, and instantly a wave of energy swept through the entire Titan planet. The ambush site that was originally surrounded by ruins and bunkers was instantly razed to the ground, and Mark and the others were all exposed. .

Knowing that their plan had completely failed, the superheroes showed no signs of panic. Needless to say, the three Guardians of the Galaxy are not good at following plans.

As for everyone in the Avengers, they have experienced too many such scenes. There is no way to win without losing, and there is no retreat behind them. At this time, except for fighting to the death, all their emotions and thoughts have long been forgotten.

Mark looked at Thanos dozens of meters away. This was the first time he had truly seen the other person's true face, not to mention that it was still close to the movie image he remembered from his previous life.

Although their plan has completely failed and their own ambush has been exposed, 910 cannot be suppressed by Thanos in terms of momentum, otherwise the next battle will be very passive. "I don't want you to regret it for a long time, because You have provoked the Avengers, the most powerful superhero team on earth, as well as the most famous Guardians of the Galaxy in the universe, and we also have two Infinity Stones in our hands."

As he spoke, Mark opened his palm and showed the Mind Stone in his hand in front of Thanos. Since the plan to destroy the Infinity Stones couldn't be implemented, Mark simply took the Mind Stone back into his own hands.

With the blessing of the Mind Stone, not only can he obtain a steady supply of magic power, but the powerful psychic energy can enhance the power of Mark's illusions, which can be of unexpected help in battle.

"Do you know where this is? - Titan! This used to be my home, and it used to be a very beautiful place.

But with the continuous development of the times, like many other planets, its population has exploded and its resources have been very few (ajad). Finally, when everyone was about to reach the end of their rope, I came up with a solution for them. "

"Genocide." Mark said the answer first.

"That's right!" Thanos said without a trace of guilt, "It's completely random, no personal relationships, absolutely fair, no distinction between high and low. They all said I was crazy, but everything in the end was exactly what I expected. Difference.

For the last resources, my compatriots fought against each other, mercilessly killing all competitors. This struggle mixed with emotions and desires eventually plunged the entire planet into silence, and my compatriots paid a heavy price for it.

If they had acted according to the plan I proposed from the beginning, this tragedy would not have happened in the end. At least half of the entire planet's population would have survived, and the surviving people would no longer have to starve and beg everywhere. Children can have enough to eat as soon as they are born, and play happily under the blue sky and white clouds, as long as they listen to me and wipe out half of the life on the planet.

But now you still have a chance to avoid the same tragedy. Just hand over the infinity stones in your hands to me. After collecting the six infinity stones, I only need to snap my fingers, and they will be in a state where they can't even feel the pain. The ashes are gone, but I will turn them into kindness. "

Bang bang bang, "Then I really have to applaud you. You are truly a benevolent saint, a [saint] who wants to murder trillions of lives in the universe."

Doctor Strange's words were full of sarcasm and he told Thanos that he did not believe Thanos's statement at all, and only regarded it as a high-sounding excuse for the other party to vent his inner desire for massacre.

But Mark, who clearly has the memory of his past life, knows that Thanos did not lie. He is indeed using actions to implement his reason and will. It's just that almost no one can agree with such a fate imposed on themselves, let alone the price of their lives.

"Your story is wonderful, and your ideals seem very lofty, but we have no intention of leaving our destiny in the hands of others.

Even if you successfully complete your plan this time and wipe out half of the life in the universe, the reproduction of life will continue, but our universe will eventually die. All you have done is to bring the original thing right before your eyes. The problem is just postponed, and it has no practical significance at all.

And Thanos, the long memories of feeling alive and miserable have made you fall into a thinking trap and you can't extricate yourself. You stubbornly believe that after getting the six infinity stones, you just need to follow the plan you proposed on Titan, randomly. Eliminate half of all life and the balance of the universe can be restored.

But, Thanos, times have changed!

You never thought that with the power of six Infinity Stones, you could do more than randomly wipe out half of all lives. It's really ridiculous to try to get your hands on such a huge power, but only want to use it to accomplish one thing that has no achievements.

You can completely use the power of infinite gems to make the resources of the entire universe more abundant, even inexhaustible, but your narrow thinking has imprisoned you. You are not so much a savior, but a savior. Tianming, it is better to say that you are just a remnant of the old era. "

Mark's words can be said to be murderous and heart-breaking. From the most fundamental level, he denies the significance of all Thanos's actions and the value he has spent his life pursuing.

After hearing Mark's denial, Thanos seemed to have opened the door to a new world, and he had doubts about his long-standing ideals.

But it is a pity that Mark's words came too late. Even Thanos himself shook his head and sighed: "It's really too late...".

Chapter 404

Sunk costs refer to expenses that occurred in the past but are not relevant to current decisions. They usually also refer to cost inputs that cannot be recovered.

From the perspective of decision-making, the expenses incurred in the past are only a factor that caused the current state. What the current decision should consider are the expenses that may occur in the future and the benefits it will bring, regardless of the expenses incurred in the past.

However, when the accumulation of sunk costs is too high and exceeds the limit that the decision-maker can accept, due to the influence of psychological factors, in the decision-making process, compared with giving up the past investment and starting to invest again, he will be more inclined to increase investment in order to achieve the goal. Let past costs be able to form output and reap results.

This is the situation with Thanos now - the sunk costs are too high. The Infinity Gauntlet he wears on his left hand has now collected all four Infinity Stones except for the Mind Stone and Time Stone on Mark and Doctor Strange.