Chapter 85 - 23

Chapter 173: Rage

After mastering the Soul Gem, Thor immediately consumed the Red Skull's soul.

The Red Skull was never a pleasant individual.

Anticipating Thanos's return, Thor had laid a trap, asking Loki to use an illusion to disguise himself as the Red Skull. The Soul Gem could handle the difference in souls, making it easier to deceive Thanos, who was a straightforward fighter.

Using the mysterious magic circle beneath the cliff, the chance of success was high.

Unfortunately, Thanos was not deceived. Despite Thor's modified plan and desperate efforts, Thanos managed to escape— a major setback.

However, the outcome wasn't entirely unfavorable. At least one of Thanos's arms had been severed, and Stormbreaker's power could restrain the gems, making it difficult for even the Time Gem to recover swiftly.

The Soul Gem floated up and returned to Thor's hand.

"It's worthless!" Thor exclaimed angrily. "I went through all this effort, and he still escaped..."

The plan had almost succeeded. If the Soul Gem had managed to consume Thanos's soul, it would have been the end.

Unfortunately, the gem had been disrupted by the Time Gem at a crucial moment, allowing Thanos to leap back.

The Soul Gem seemed to be expressing frustration. The opportunity had slipped away...

Thor refocused on Gamora and said with a smile, "I saved your life. Are you aware of that?"

Gamora looked at him suspiciously.

"The true test of the Soul Gem is to sacrifice someone you love the most. And the person Thanos loves the most is you."

"What?!"

Gamora's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! That monster never loved anyone!"

"Thanos loves you the most. If he were to make a sacrifice, it would have to be you."

The Soul Gem's emotionless voice echoed.

After a moment of shock, Gamora fell silent and asked quietly, "So, he would choose to sacrifice me, wouldn't he?"

Thor nodded. "Yes, he once avoided his destiny, which led to the destruction of Titan. This time, he won't escape, even if it means sacrificing you. For his goal, he would pay any price."

Even though Thor was an adversary, he was blunt and straightforward. He had no interest in backhanded tactics.

Confrontation with Thanos was a tactical necessity.

"Thanos is a deeply contradictory person.

Strictly speaking, he isn't purely evil.

Everything he does is in the name of balancing the universe.

Unfortunately, his approach is fundamentally flawed.

A good person doing bad things is far more dangerous than a bad person simply being bad.

Because, no matter how many evil acts he commits, he believes he's doing it for a greater good.

In contrast, truly evil people don't need to be hostile; like the Grandmaster and Kingpin, they have their own desires, and Thor can cooperate with them because their motivations are clear. Thanos, however, has no personal desires, only an ideal he's pursuing.

If his ideal were correct, it would be acceptable, but Thanos has simply gone astray and become a deluded fool."

Gamora remained silent.

Thanos boarded his spaceship and entered a space wormhole without a second thought. Once he confirmed Thor wasn't in pursuit, he felt some relief.

The once-majestic overlord of the universe was now being hunted. It was a bitter irony.

Clenching his fist, Thanos activated the Time Gem's light, reattaching his severed left arm and healing his shoulder wound.

In some respects, the Time Gem acted like an unlimited health potion—no matter the injury, it could be instantly healed.

"Um?"

Thanos frowned in pain. He realized a mysterious force seemed to be resisting the Time Gem's power . Thanos wasn't a fighter not a Socceror dedicated to mastery time stone , he couldn't use its full potential. Buu

The ability to reverse time was hindered; injuries that could usually be healed instantly were now recovering slowly, relying on Thanos's Titan physique.

Thanos gritted his teeth in frustration.

He activated the screen to set his destination, planning to return to the base camp.

The screen lit up, inundated with countless communication messages. Thanos stared in shock at a message from Ebony Maw...

In his rage, Thanos smashed the screen with a punch.

He never expected that upon his return, his base would be gone.

If Thor were here, Thanos might have lashed out in anger... Ah, forget it. The theft of his base was unforgivable.

---

Chapter 174: Dilemma

"Hey! Let me just say, there's no prison in the world that can hold me!"

Star-Lord cheered.

The second base, known as Sanctuary II, had been demolished by a group called the "Shocking Team," led by someone known as "Star Lord." according to Star Lord .Everyone was busy with repairs and fleeing, barely paying attention to the chaotic situation.

Thus, Star-Lord and his team managed to find their spaceship, which had been dragged to the Warehouse, and escaped from Thanos's grasp through a hole created by the Shock Team.

"No, Quill, you only escaped because a super powerful lady drew the firepower!"

"Damn it, I know that already. I don't need you to remind me!"

Star-Lord snapped, his embarrassment turning into irritation.

"However, this lady's fighting style seems very familiar..."

Rocket Raccoon fell into thought. "Her approach—flying straight ahead without dodging, and hitting the spaceship head-on... Ugh, it reminds me of Thor!"

Back on Xandar, Thor had used a similar tactic to blow up Ronan's spaceship, taking a hit in the process.

"But this woman looks tougher."

Drax concluded.

She was definitely someone Thor had learned from, probably Carol Danvers as well...

"Wait, did we forget something important?"

The Mantis suddenly asked, sounding doubtful.

Though she usually spoke little, being part of the Guardians of the Galaxy made her very happy, and her teammates treated her well. Yet, she often felt out of sync with Star-Lord and the others.

Not due to alienation, but because—

She didn't share their penchant for over-the-top behavior!

"I'm Groot. (Gamora is missing)" Groot said weakly.

Gamora had bought most of Groot's games. The previous game console had been smashed because of a loss, and Groot remembered who had purchased the replacement.

"Oh no!" Star-Lord slapped his thigh in realization. "We left Gamora behind with Thanos! We have to go back and save her!"

Everyone understood that returning to Sanctuary II now, even with severe injuries, would likely result in their deaths.

Despite this, no member of the Guardians of the Galaxy opposed the decision.

The unanimous vote was passed, and the spaceship turned, heading back to Sanctuary II.

"Quill, where are you flying to, you idiot? Open the spaceship and let me go to the hospital!"

In a simple spherical flight device, Gamora's voice echoed.

"Uh... What happened? How did Thanos let you go?" Star-Lord asked, puzzled.

Gamora shook her head. "It's not that he let me go. Thanos took me to Vormir to find the Soul Gem. There, Thor attacked him, and Thanos, seriously injured, no longer cared about me."

"Is Thanos dead?" Drax asked, his concern evident.

"No, just seriously injured," Gamora said, her eyes betraying a hint of satisfaction.

Star-Lord rested his chin thoughtfully.

"By the way, Quill, can you contact your father?"

"Eh..." Star-Lord was momentarily stunned by the interruption and replied with a pained expression, "My father has been dead for a long time..."

"I meant Yondu..."

"....What's wrong?"

"Contact the Ravagers. Use this opportunity to attack Thanos's army and end this once and for all."

Sanctuary II had been hit by Captain Marvel.

Fortunately, in space, there was no risk of crashing, though the damage was significant.

Much of the equipment had been destroyed, repairs were nowhere in sight, and several ammunition depots had exploded, worsening the situation.

Aside from Thanos himself, most of the crew aboard Sanctuary II could not survive in a vacuum, and the air-tightness of space equipment was critical.

The massive breach in the hull had exposed many soldiers to the vacuum of space.

It was estimated that Sanctuary II had suffered losses equivalent to three layers of soldiers, with numerous weapons and fighters destroyed.

It was no wonder Thanos, known for his volatile mood, would be furious.

The destruction caused by the Shock Team's attack was a greater blow to Thanos than the damage Surtur had caused to Asgard.

While Asgard had suffered some losses, the main structure was still standing. With Asgardian resilience, this damage was manageable.

For Thanos, however, it was one of the most severe blows he had ever faced, especially when he was severely injured and needed to rely on his subordinates.

--

Chapter 175: Collusion

On a typical day, Thanos' strength was unquestionable. No matter how lazy his subordinates were or how severe the losses, as long as the boss was around, the final decision would be made immediately.

But the boss had been defeated.

Seeing Thanos clutching his broken arm, many soldiers wore bewildered expressions. Even the Black Order, known for their stoic demeanor, seemed to be in shock.

Thanos had wreaked havoc across the universe for years. It wasn't that he had never faced defeat before; he had once been thoroughly beaten by Odin when he invaded Asgard. However, at that time, Odin was considered a cosmic powerhouse, and losing to him was not considered shameful.

In contrast, being defeated by Thor was another matter. Even though Thor had recently risen to prominence, his reputation was still that of a young god. Despite his recent achievements, many viewed him as an inexperienced successor, merely a "second-generation" god.

Thor's real rise had only occurred in the past two decades. For Asgard, an ancient race, twenty years was a mere blink of an eye. Most people still perceived Thor as a brash, inexperienced god who might cause trouble but lacked genuine power.

Although Thor's impressive feats, such as defeating the giants of Jotunheim and the dark elves, had occurred, they were seen as minor victories. Killing Ronan the Accuser was considered notable, but Ronan's cowardice and subsequent failures on Earth led many to dismiss Thor's accomplishments.

Thor's most significant achievements were against Thanos himself, marking him as a formidable opponent. Thanos had made many enemies, and most were too intimidated by his strength to openly challenge him. Now, however, the heavy losses Thanos had suffered were creating opportunities for others to act.

"You failed," a somber voice intoned.

"No, I have not," Thanos insisted vehemently.

"I agreed to cooperate with you in initiating Ragnarök, but you didn't achieve your goals. Asgard resolved Ragnarök on its own, the Soul Gem was taken, and you were nearly defeated by a surprise attack. Isn't this a failure?"

"As long as I'm alive, I haven't lost. They may win many times, but I only need to win once—just one time, and I will prevail!"

The voice on the other end fell silent before responding quietly, "But you can't even win once."

"You are no match for Thor. The gap between you will only widen, especially since the other party now controls four of the Infinite Gems."

"Furthermore, of your Black Order, only three remain. Aside from that octopus-faced member who can restrain my junior, even ordinary Avengers could potentially defeat them, which could not alter the overall situation."

"What are you suggesting?" Thanos asked, frowning deeply. He knew the other party's words held truth.

"Your plan could have succeeded, but its failure is due to one individual. My former teacher, the Ancient One, predicted that the future of the world hinges on this person."

"Thor."

"Thus, my master may be willing to assist you in dealing with this Asgardian. Without him, no one could stop you."

"And what will be required in return?" Thanos asked gravely.

"Destroy the three Sanctuaries in New York, London, and Hong Kong, and break the seal of Kamar-Taj to allow my master to enter this world. He will consume Asgard for you. In exchange, you and your army must annihilate Kamar-Taj!"

"Why the obsession with Kamar-Taj's destruction?" Thanos inquired. Destroying a Sanctuary was one thing, but Kamar-Taj was an ancient and powerful organization, and breaking through it would be costly.

"If your master can indeed descend, why fear a Kamar-Taj without the Ancient One?"

The voice fell silent.

---

Chapter 176: Antecedents

After a long pause, the voice continued, "My master was under immense pressure and had to promise a certain individual that he would not conquer Earth. The great master will never break his word, so we can only act once the other party is no longer a threat."

Thanos:

He regarded this "great master" with a degree of disdain.

It's one thing to avoid breaking a promise, but isn't the purpose of a treaty to be disregarded when convenient?

Yet this great god is too concerned with appearances, secretly backing other agents to engage in underhanded schemes.

Or does this mean that if the promise's recipient is no longer present, the promise becomes void?

To be honest, Thanos held the other party in low regard. But for the sake of his grand ambition, he had no choice but to cooperate.

Thanos' condition became widely known across the galaxy.

Star-Lord and his group were not fighters, but their news had spread quickly. Under their influence, many were aware of Thanos' current plight.

Seriously injured and with Sanctuary II in ruins, the situation arose from Thanos' attempt to exploit Odin's death to initiate Ragnarök.

The galaxy's spectators were thrilled by the drama, with many considering taking advantage of Thanos' situation...

Thor, however, was frustrated with Captain Marvel for destroying the spaceship.

Star-Lord was unfamiliar with Captain Marvel, and the name "Carol" meant nothing to him.

Indeed, few in the galaxy knew of Captain Marvel. She had been stationed on the far side of the universe, several galaxies away, as a peacekeeper for years.

The Kree were aware of her, but they had concealed their dark history, opting to claim that a Starforce member named vers had died in battle rather than reveal the truth.

On Earth, the Avengers learned about these events through Natalia, leading to an excited gathering that night.

In Asgard, Jean placed her hands on Thor's head, and a series of images appeared in Thor's mind—memories from the minds of fallen Asgardian soldiers and Chitauri.

The images were shown from various angles.

Thor saw Thanos sneaking in with a team of elite soldiers, stopping before the golden shield.

Corvus Glaive attempted to breach it with his double-edged spear but failed. He reported to Thanos, "The shield's level is too high to break through by force, and our presence would be detected. If the defenders respond, they could summon the full might of Asgard to repel us."

Thanos nodded, already having anticipated this. He turned and said in a deep voice, "You can open the portal, right?"

A man in a black and green magician's robe stepped forward.

"Yes. But remember, we must still assist you in acquiring the gauntlet and destroying Asgard. You must also destroy the three Sanctuaries on Earth."

As he chanted the spell, a golden portal appeared, gradually expanding, and then—vanished!

The green-robed magician's body convulsed violently.

"What's happening?" Thanos demanded, growing frustrated with the magician's failure to deliver.

Indeed, those from the dark dimension were often unreliable.

"The magical barriers here are extremely strong! I must use the power my master granted me!"

The green-robed man gritted his teeth and began drawing a new portal.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face growing pale. "Go now, I can't hold it for long!"

Despite the portal's instability, it worked. Thanos and the Black Order quickly entered, and Thanos immediately spotted the gauntlet adorned with six gem.

Grabbing the gauntlet, he struck it hard, and the six gems shattered instantly.

"Many believed it was a fake. However, a worthless trinket is far from the caliber of items in Odin's Vault."

He slowly donned the gauntlet. "Though it has flaws, it's sufficient for my purpose!"

The gems were mere decorations, but the gauntlet itself, while not as good as authentic Uru gauntlets, was better than the inferior versions studied by Iron Man in the past.

Thanos nodded in satisfaction and commanded, "Since we're here, make sure to leave a mark and teach that arrogant Asgardian a lesson!"

His subordinate understood and approached with a helmet, throwing it into a nearby ball of flames.

"With the eternal flame, you are reborn!"

The helmet began to heat up, and the temperature around it soared...

Surtur, now resurrected, burst through the Golden Hall and breached its defenses. Most of the elite soldiers Thanos brought were either killed or severely injured.

Thanos did not expect that, at this time in Asgard, there would be someone capable of resurrecting the dead and reading minds...

...

Chapter 177: Antecedents

The image in Thor's mind faded, leaving him with a contemplative expression.

"It makes sense now," he said. "No wonder he was able to infiltrate the royal palace's treasury so quietly. He accepted Dormammu's power and was an old acquaintance."

"Who is this magician?" Thor asked.

Strange pondered, "It appears to be a magician from Kamar-Taj, but I don't recall seeing him there recently. Only a few magicians can open such a portal, and even the Sorcerer Supreme, struggles with it. This person is actually Mordo, the Ancient One's chief disciple. He left Kamar-Taj and apparently aligned himself with Dormammu..."

Thor pointed to himself, saying, "And according to this guy's mind, I am the source of all troubles."

Strange shook his head, having underestimated Mordo, and mistakenly viewed him as a fool like Fatty Wang.

Thor suddenly remembered a Marvel series he had seen in his previous life. In that timeline, Strange never delved into the mystic arts, and Mordo became the Sorcerer Supreme after the Ancient One.

It seemed that Mordo wasn't useless, but that Strange was extraordinarily gifted...

In the main square of Kamar-Taj, a group of magicians was training.

In this world, only a few individuals like the legendary ones are truly exceptional. Most magicians are content with their blessings, focusing instead on perfecting their magical training...

There were hundreds of magicians in this square alone, each a significant figure in the mortal realm. It's clear that Kamar-Taj has a formidable background.

Among the Nine Realms, apart from Asgard, Kamar-Taj is arguably the strongest force.

Few would dare to invade Kamar-Taj. Even if Thanos were to target Strange for the Time Gem, moving against Kamar-Taj would be a risky endeavor.

Thor was clearly not on that list.

A bright, colorful flame descended onto the open space in front of the square, accompanied by an overwhelming divine pressure.

The magicians readied their defenses, their magical weapons instantly prepared.

A voice emerged from the light: "Strange, come out!"

The magician group collectively thought, "Let's disperse; this master is not to be trifled with. He won't cause trouble..."

Strange approached and asked, "Is His Highness Thor here for Mordo?"

Thor emerged from the Bifrost with a grim expression. "You really know everything."

Strange invited him into the hall and said calmly, "Mordo chose to leave because he disagreed with the Ancient One's methods."

Thor chuckled, "By the way, the Ancient One's judgment seems questionable. How could he train such a troublesome disciple?"

Strange was noncommittal. "It's a matter of perspective..."

The implication was that Odin's methods were not without flaws, as evidenced by Hela and Loki.

"Anyway, since you knew about the situation, why didn't you warn me? Aren't you afraid that Asgard might truly fall? Or do you think you can face Thanos alone?"

Thor expressed his concerns.

Strange shook his head. "The reality is that Asgard hasn't suffered significant damage yet. If I had warned you earlier, the disaster might have been covered up, becoming a ticking time bomb. I don't have the energy to foresee every outcome, but from what I've observed, this is when the damage is least."

Thor nodded, accepting the explanation.

He understood that Mordo's stubborn nature meant he would likely cause trouble for himself due to dissatisfaction with the Ancient One's leniency.

Given Dormammu's promise, Mordo's first target would naturally be Thor, not Strange. This aligned with Thanos' objectives, as Dormammu dealt with Asgard due to his inability to confront Earth, while Thanos handled Earth because he couldn't defeat Thor.

"And what about Thanos? Why give him the gem? If it weren't for the Time Gem, this conflict would be over. I recall that you and Stark don't get along well?"

Thor was puzzled, as Thanos without the Time Gem would have fallen at Vormir, and Strange would likely have kept the Time Stone...

Strange couldn't help but smile mysteriously. "This war will last longer than you anticipate. Thanos' death won't resolve everything. Compared to a mere stone, Stark's existence holds greater significance."

Thor scoffed, "As long as I'm here, we will win this war."

"Yes," Strange agreed, "But you cannot control the cost of victory."

"But he can."

...

Chapter 178: The Eve of the Battle

Unexpectedly, the focus shifted back to Iron Man.

Doctor Strange's message was clear. In the future he envisioned, Iron Man was indispensable.

Strange's words were essentially a spoiler, highlighting that Thanos' death was not the end of the story. Even if Dormammu didn't appear, Thor would have to confront him sooner or later. After all, Dormammu was one of the masterminds behind Ragnarök, even if he did not succeed.

Thor couldn't help but chuckle, "It seems I'm about to steal your boss, and Dormammu will become your formidable opponent."

Strange shrugged, "Who knows, maybe you'll end up handling all my other tasks too."

"So," Thor teased, "I help Kamar-Taj out of a major problem, and you owe me a favor."

"The magic of unlimited refills, perhaps?" Thor suggested.

"Deal!" Strange agreed.

In the laboratory of Stark Tower, Stark, who had just returned from Wakanda, was typing away at his keyboard.

Wakanda's technology was indeed impressive, as his injury had healed 70% to 80% remarkably quickly.

On the nearby experimental platform lay a headless corpse.

This was Vision. Stark was attempting to recreate J.A.R.V.I.S. through the remaining data fragments, with the goal of reviving Vision.

"Friday, check the target equation."

"Eighty-five percent similarity to J.A.R.V.I.S."

Stark sighed.

Creating a truly intelligent robot was, in essence, creating life. He could replicate J.A.R.V.I.S. almost exactly, but he couldn't actually bring the robot to life.

"You can't do this," Thor's voice suddenly interrupted.

Stark glanced at him, seemingly unfazed by the intrusion but asked, "I know it's difficult, but there's always hope."

"No, there's no hope," Thor replied indifferently. "Imagine if Pepper Potts were to leave you, and you took a blood sample from her and used cloning technology to create a replica. Could you truly consider that clone to be Pepper Potts?"

Stark scowled. "Why such an inappropriate metaphor? It definitely doesn't count!"

Thor dispelled his illusions, "But you're essentially doing the same thing. Even if you manage to perfectly replicate J.A.R.V.I.S. and then transfer consciousness into a Vibranium body without using the Mind Stone, the new entity won't be Vision. It would only be a copy."

Stark was silent for a moment before murmuring, "How could I not know that? But what else can I do now?"

Whether it was Vision or J.A.R.V.I.S., their significance to him was immense.

"Indeed," Thor confirmed. "The primary function of the Time Gem is to control the flow of time, just as Doctor Strange was killed by Dormammu countless times before finally recovering."

"Really?" Stark was momentarily stunned, then grew excited. "So, if we retrieve the gems, we can revive Vision?"

"Definitely!" Thor assured, not kidding. After all, Thanos did this in the original timeline...

If Strange hadn't mentioned Stark's future usefulness, Thor wouldn't have bothered to enlighten him.

Asgard began to rebuild, with Thor, the rookie king, saving Asgard from its inevitable fate, earning widespread approval and unprecedented cohesion.

The Avengers, buoyed by the results of Thor's battle against Thanos, were full of confidence. The morale that had previously faltered now surged.

Many across the galaxy considered forming alliances to seek revenge against Thanos. Previously, no one dared confront Thanos due to his overwhelming power and lack of a counterforce, but now things had changed...

The only ones feeling dismal were the Kree. They had anticipated Thanos would deal with Captain Marvel after finishing his tasks, but they hadn't expected Thanos would be pushed to the brink of defeat.

On the battlefield, he was overwhelmed by Captain Marvel, who stood alone against his forces.

Once, her superior, Yon Rogg, had a sinking feeling—this time, it seemed the end was truly near!

Thanos was nearly cornered. If he delayed and allowed his former enemies to ally with the Avengers, he would have no chance of victory.

His only option now was to launch a full-scale invasion of Earth as quickly as possible, destroy the Asgard, and release Dormammu. Time was running out, and he had to act swiftly!

Thanos glanced at his newly installed robotic arm, then at Sanctuary II, which was still under maintenance, and finally ordered with resignation, "Prepare to attack Earth!"

---

Chapter 179: Outbreak

It's a basic strategy to tackle the easier targets first, and Thanos is no exception.

When Thanos launched his all-out assault, the Hong Kong Sanctum and the London Sanctum fell within just half an hour, before the Avengers had a chance to react.

Certainly, if Thor had rushed to the scene immediately, he could have repelled the siege, but he chose to stay behind.

Guarding all three Sanctums simultaneously was impractical; it would be impossible to manage everything effectively, and it would dilute the Avengers' strength.

Conversely, Thanos' forces were vast, and despite many of them perishing in space, their numbers remained formidable.

With the Sanctums destroyed, Kamar-Taj realized that this was a sign of Dormammu's impending arrival.

The Sanctum in New York would be the final bastion of defense, and the Avengers were preparing for the worst.

Thanos was aware that the remaining four Infinity Stones were in Thor's possession, and Thor was stationed at the New York Sanctum.

New York, constantly plagued by disasters, was once again a focal point of turmoil...

Indeed, New York seemed particularly cursed in this world. After numerous wars, it had been demolished and rebuilt, only to face destruction again.

After today, the city might need to be completely rebuilt from scratch...

Steve Rogers, now the president, passed a decision against objections—to evacuate the people of New York.

During this process, the mayor of New York, Kingpin, used every means at his disposal to enforce this decision.

War was imminent.

In the clear sky, a massive meteor descended, entering the atmosphere and transforming into a fireball as it hurtled toward the Sanctum.

This was Thanos' landing ship.

New York lacked the protective shield that Wakanda had. It was unrealistic to expect Thanos to land outside the battlefield.

A thunderous roar of a dragon sounded as the Black Dragon Princess transformed into her dragon form, soaring into the sky. She took a deep breath and unleashed a scorching dragon breath upon the landing ship.

The landing ship slowly disintegrated under the intense heat...

Before she could savor her victory, several massive fireballs fell from the sky. It would take considerable time for the Black Dragon Princess to deal with each one, and she couldn't stop them all.

From the skylight inside the Sanctum, Thor watched with a smirk as the Chitauri battleships approached, and declared loudly, "In my sight, no battleships will land here!"

He raised his hand, and Stormbreaker appeared.

Outside the Sanctum, the Avengers saw the battle axe soaring into the sky like lightning, piercing through the nearest battleship, and then spinning towards the next without losing momentum.

"Boom... Boom, Boom..."

Before Stormbreaker, even the most formidable ship and weapon were like paper, collapsing at the slightest touch.

At that moment, a massive squadron of fighter-bombers emerged from the Chitauri spaceship and dove towards the battlefield.

Their mission was to cover the landing of the main ship.

"Boom..."

A thunderbolt, tens of meters thick, split the sky, turning it almost entirely purple.

The colossal lightning shattered into countless smaller bolts, engulfing the entire squadron...

The elite pilots didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to ashes.

Thor shouted, "I said, no flying over New York today!"

In the sky, Thanos grimaced upon seeing the seemingly omnipotent battle axe. Reluctantly, he abandoned the idea of a skyfall attack and landed the battleship outside the city, preparing for a direct confrontation with the Avengers...

Under normal circumstances, he would have used a barrage of naval guns as cover, but with Sanctum II still under repair, he was forced to engage directly. The weapon systems were still offline, leaving him with only an air carrier...

With a resounding crash, a landing ship finally slammed into the ground outside the city.

The hatch opened slowly, and countless ferocious creatures poured out of the battleship. After forming ranks, they surged towards the Sanctum in the city like a tidal wave.

The Vanguard, another of Thanos' formidable forces besides the Chitauri, were not known for their individual combat prowess, but their overwhelming numbers and fearless nature made them a threat that could overwhelm any opponent with sheer force.

These were the targets the other heroes needed to confront.

Stark and Rhodes immediately took to the skies in their Iron Man suits, releasing a barrage of missiles to clear the ground, taking down a significant number of Vanguards.

As the front lines fell, the rear ranks surged forward, as if reinforcements would never end.

In the background, numerous large portals began to open, and a contingent of fully armed Wakandan warriors emerged, brandishing Vibranium spears, and advancing against the Vanguards.

"Victory is essential! We must prevail!"

---

Chapter 180: Three-Line Attack

A New York War 2.0 erupted on a scale far greater than the Chitauri's invasion.

Unlike the Wakanda War in the original timeline, where only the Avengers and Wakandan soldiers participated, this time the battlefield was much more extensive.

Wakanda, a small African nation, had a limited population, and despite their advanced technology, it was nearly impossible to make a significant impact against the overwhelming forces of the Vanguard.

Now, however, in addition to the Wakandan soldiers, there was a massive contingent of Kamar-Taj sorcerers and the Asgardian army, which Thor himself had summoned after their previous defeat by Hela.

Every Asgardian soldier possessed physical capabilities comparable to Captain America, which was more than enough to handle the Vanguard.

Thor stood resolutely on the observation platform inside the Sanctum, ensuring no one could breach it.

"Is this your hometown, Quill?" Gamora asked as a small spaceship landed on Airfield 07 atop the Stark Building, marking the Guardians of the Galaxy's first visit to Earth.

Quill, also known as Star-Lord, looked around with a mix of nostalgia and complexity, taking a deep breath. "Yes, I'm back."

Rocket, peering at the massive battle unfolding nearby, asked in confusion, "Quill, didn't you say your hometown was a remote and backward planet? It doesn't look like it. Even without the top experts, just the ordinary legions are more than a match for Thanos's armies."

The Asgardian soldiers were clearly foreign reinforcements, but the Kamar-Taj and Wakandan troops were evidently indigenous and had a long-standing heritage.

Their combined strength alone was a top-tier power in the universe.

The New York Sanctum is situated on Brick Street in Manhattan, at the southern tip of the Manhattan peninsula.

In warfare, the attacker has a significant advantage—they can choose the time and direction of their attack, while the defender can only react. Thanos' forces devised three separate attack routes to overwhelm the defenders.

The first attack route landed in the Bronx, moving through most of the Manhattan peninsula, and charged directly towards the Sanctum.

This offensive was expected to be the most intense. The attackers faced the Vanguard, a swarm-like force, and numerous Chitauri soldiers following them.

Thor, stationed on the highest balcony of the New York Sanctum, had a commanding view of Manhattan. Any Chitauri fighter or Leviathan that entered his line of sight would be immediately struck by lightning and torn apart by Stormbreaker.

The Wakandan army, led by Black Panther T'Challa, along with Asgardian soldiers, was tasked with defending this sector. Stark and Rhodes, along with numerous Wakandan warriors and S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft carriers, controlled the airspace and supported the ground troops.

Meanwhile, a massive black dragon, tens of meters in length, hovered in the air. Its fiery breath cleared large areas with each exhale.

"Roar…"

Hulk led the charge into the Vanguard forces.

Hulk was undeterred by crowd tactics. His remarkable recovery and defense made him resistant to most Vanguard attacks.

With his jumping ability, even if surrounded, he could leap to another location and continue the battle.

As the enemy commander considered how to deal with Hulk, the Avengers surged from behind.

Thanos' legion was more than just a swarm of mindless Vanguards. The Dark Legion was a well-organized force, with the Vanguards serving as mere cannon fodder.

Despite the vast number of troops, they were the weakest part of the assault. Their primary role was to draw the Avengers' attention and deplete their resources.

The second landing point was in Brooklyn, where the soldiers were of a higher caliber.

Because Thor's long-range attacks couldn't fully cover this area, many Chitauri spaceships and Leviathans were deployed here.

Ebony Maw, the tactical mastermind, was in charge of this section.

The forces quickly advanced westward. Most of the defenses here consisted of mortal troops, who were vulnerable to the Chitauri's assault and unable to withstand their attack.

The narrow strait separating them from Brick Street put significant pressure on the Sanctum.

However, their target wasn't Thor. By this point, Thanos had abandoned any hope of directly seizing the four Infinity Stones from his adversary.

The only option was to summon Dormammu, a formidable entity from the Dark Dimension capable of defeating Thor.

Thor was indeed powerful, but protecting the New York Sanctum while fighting off such a vast army was challenging.

Even with the giant Leviathans alone, their presence could easily reduce the New York Sanctum to ruins.

"Make sure that arrogant Asgardian pays dearly for crossing Lord Thanos!" Ebony Maw thought as he stood on the platform, envisioning Thor's despair as Asgard fell to darkness...

---

Chapter 181: True Ambush from Ten Daggers

A foreboding sense of danger surged, and Ebony Maw's senses were instantly alerted. He furrowed his brow and commanded, "Hold on, something's wrong. Stop immediately!"

But it was already too late. Almost simultaneously with his order, the world around him began to spin...

The space twisted violently, causing buildings to contort in impossible ways—one side became the floor, and the other the ceiling. The ground upheaved abruptly, sending countless Chitauri soldiers tumbling and falling.

The Leviathans, lacking in intelligence, instinctively tried to fly out of this disorienting environment.

"Boom..."

They crashed through the buildings above them but couldn't escape. The distorted space caused numerous Leviathans to collide and entangle with each other, resulting in a cacophony of pained roars.

Figures flashed around as the Kamar-Taj sorcerers began their assault.

A golden magic whip lashed out, wrapping around a Chitauri soldier and dragging him out. Surrounding sorcerers condensed their magic into blades, stabbing the hapless soldier.

The disoriented Chitauri soldiers, realizing their precarious situation, began firing in a panicked attempt to defend themselves.

"Bang bang bang..."

But they overlooked the fact that the space was distorted. The laser beams they fired didn't go where they intended, causing significant casualties among their own ranks instead of clearing the area.

Ahead in the air, a cloaked figure with a descended slowly. The current Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, observed them with indifference.

Ebony Maw finally recognized the formidable challenge posed by the sorcerer he had previously dismissed. However, with the sorcerer now exposed, he saw an opportunity.

Ebony Maw's expression hardened with resolve as he extended his hand and pointed forward.

While conventional attacks were hindered by the spatial anomalies, Psychokinesis was unaffected. Ebony Maw was adept at manipulating the barriers of his environment.

"Crack la la...~."

Beneath Doctor Strange, steel bars erupted from the concrete floor and began to twist, forming a massive net.

Doctor Strange's expression remained calm and composed, as if he was unaware of the imminent threat.

Ebony Maw's palm slowly clenched into a fist.

As he moved, the giant steel net closed in on Strange.

Ebony Maw's eyes glinted with malevolence. He knew Strange was the leader of the sorcerers and the core of the strange magic at work. Eliminating him would likely dismantle the spell...

But soon, his face darkened with frustration.

The giant net stopped mid-air, unable to restrain Strange despite Ebony Maw's efforts to control it.

Ebony Maw gritted his teeth and intensified his Psychokinesis.

"Psychokinesis control, you're not alone."

Suspended in the void, a young girl with flowing red hair floated effortlessly. She was as striking and captivating as a fiery flame.

In the same way Ebony Maw controlled his platform, Jean Grey did not require any intermediary. It was clear who had the superior power.

Being the most powerful mutant was not just about Phoenix Force or Professor X's telepathy, but also included Magneto's control abilities and other superpowers combined. Jean possessed extraordinary potential.

Unlike Ebony Maw, who struggled with his control, Jean merely thought of dismantling the giant steel net. The net, engulfed in a painful shriek, was rapidly disassembled.

The rebar fell back to the ground, and even the concrete that had been displaced earlier was restored.

Ebony Maw's face turned a shade of green with anger and frustration.

On the southern coast of Manhattan, several small donut-shaped spaceships surfaced quietly, and General Blade landed with his troops.

This marked the third landing, on the opposite side of Manhattan from the previous assaults.

While the northern front was overwhelmed by a flood of Vanguards acting as cannon fodder, the southern front was fortified with elite forces.

In addition to some heavily armed soldiers, the Thanos Legion deployed advanced technology, including hovering tanks.

With a series of low growls, massive apes emerged from the spaceships. This was the Thanos Legion's most formidable unit—gigantic apes.

Each great ape was accompanied by three skilled Chitauri soldiers: two for unchaining the beast and one for directing its attacks.

These giant apes like beasts were as large as Hulk and employed similar tactics. Their primary role was to wreak havoc on the battlefield, crushing everything in their path.

Though this unit was the smallest in number, it was the most powerful.

---

Chapter 182: Massacre

Thor glanced in the direction of the battle, quickly averting his gaze.

A mere Corvus Glaive was not worth confronting personally, even if the entire Black Order was involved. Their goals were not his concern.

Thor was well aware of the route Thanos might choose. While this path was the shortest, it also faced the greatest resistance!

When Corvus Glaive saw the large number of Avengers waiting in front of him, he realized that the mission to decapitate the Avengers was already compromised.

Here, the Avengers were clearly concentrated!

Instead of blocking the seemingly more dangerous northern side, the Avengers had gathered here, clearly understanding their strategy.

Corvus Glaive sighed inwardly—hoping that the master's final arrangements would come into play...

Returning to the present, he gritted his teeth and declared, "You ignorant mortals cannot stop the great Lord Thanos! You, do not understand the master's love for the universe at all!"

Thor had already dismissed Thanos's grandiose rhetoric as nonsense in casual conversations with the Avengers, and they had all laughed it off.

You want to save the universe? How impressive!

But if you want my life and the lives of my loved ones, then you are nothing but a coward!

It was Captain America who stepped forward to retort.

He spoke loudly, "Human beings should control their own destiny instead of surrendering it to some so-called fate. On our land, Thanos cannot succeed—he can only die."

This was Steve Rogers's first battle as president. Despite countless politicians exhausting their arguments, they failed to dissuade him.

"I'm fighting to better protect my people, to defend our freedom and our lives, not to hide and command. I'm a fighter, not a politician."

This was what he had said to the cameras before donning his combat uniform and picking up his shield earlier that day.

"For Lord Thanos, kill!"

"For our people, for our future, kill!"

The two armies clashed fiercely.

In Brooklyn, Ebony Maw was already drenched in sweat, with his eyes nearly bulging.

He was on a mission for Lord Thanos, and even though he knew he was outmatched, he fought Jean Grey with all his might.

However, the disparity in strength was too great.

Psychokinesis was an incredibly unique ability—colorless and formless, making it difficult to defend against and completely undetectable. Aside from special counters like Thor's lightning strikes, Ebony Maw could overcome many stronger opponents with it.

But this ability had its limits. Against a stronger opponent in this domain, Ebony Maw was powerless to fight back.

Currently, Ebony Maw's Psychokinesis seemed ineffective as Jean Grey relentlessly pursued him.

Ebony Maw, a formidable member of the Black Order, found himself unable to control even a small stone, and his leadership was rendered meaningless.

Jean Grey's cruel smile widened. "Since you have no more reinforcements, it's my turn. Let me show you how real Psychokinesis is used."

She extended her hands and unleashed her full force.

Immediately, numerous Chitauri soldiers found their weapons struggling uncontrollably, then wrenching free from their grips and aiming at them.

Ebony Maw's eyes nearly popped out...

"Bang bang bang..."

The incessant gunfire mixed with screams, turning the confined space into a hellish nightmare.

The trapped soldiers tried to resist, with some even resorting to special grenades, though these were less effective than the dark elf's black hole grenades.

But it was futile...

The grenade was thrown towards the girl floating in the air, but it vanished in the chaotic space, reappeared elsewhere, and flew back towards his troops.

"Boom..."

Many of the Leviathan beasts struggled as Jean's Psychokinesis dragged them down. Their massive bodies, already unsteady, crashed to the ground like mountains, crushing numerous soldiers beneath them.

Ebony Maw screamed in despair, "No—"

He desperately tried to stop the chaos and regain control of the guns to halt the firing, but his efforts were in vain.

The Kamar-Taj magicians, who had been pulling people from within, paused their actions and stared at Jean Grey with a mix of fear and astonishment. They hadn't expected this seemingly meek and timid girl to possess such a terrifying power, capable of slaughtering without a hint of emotion.

They were unaware of the harsh reality of Jean Grey's world and the suffering endured by mutants. At a young age, Jean had faced more hardships than many experience in a lifetime.

Here, it appeared to be the most stable of the three battlefronts.

---

Chapter 183: Cap

Beside Doctor Strange, Fatty Wang emerged slowly. Observing the dire state of the Chitauri, his expression turned odd. "What kind of hatred is this? I've never seen a little girl who remains so indifferent while killing..."

Strange smiled without speaking.

Although he didn't know where Jean Grey came from, he could infer that she was not from this universe and had faced discrimination and exclusion in her previous world.

Upon arriving in this world, Thor was the first to treat her with kindness. Asgard provided her with a sense of belonging, different from the Earth she once knew. For her, Asgard felt like home.

Thanos and his forces had nearly destroyed Asgard with Ragnarok. It was only thanks to Thor's calming influence that Jean Grey hadn't fled...

Wang studied the scene for a moment before asking, puzzled, "Why do I feel that this isn't her full strength?

It seems like there's an immensely powerful force within her that's lying dormant. This power is terrifying—perhaps even scarier than Dormammu. Once it awakens, I'm worried..."

Wang fell silent. As one of Thor's allies, he didn't want to speak ill of her...

"It will be fine. She has a device that limits her power, so she won't lose control easily."

Strange cut in and glanced at the necklace around Jean's neck.

It was the Universe Circle. Although it was concealed, Thor couldn't see it, but as the Sorcerer Supreme, Strange could discern it immediately.

"Even if that day comes, we still have Thor."

Wang noted that Strange's comment wasn't "won't lose control," but rather "won't lose control easily."

---

On the southern coast of Manhattan, another battle had begun.

Corvus Glaive quickly identified Steve Rogers as the leader of this group, or at least the spiritual leader, given the prominence of his shield.

Moreover, Steve's strength appeared to be quite average, marking him as a formidable yet ordinary individual...

By eliminating the leader, the morale of the enemy would undoubtedly be shaken.

Then, breaking through their defenses would allow entry into the Thanos Sanctuary in New York.

No matter how powerful Thor is, he couldn't stop the destruction caused by such large-scale casualties.

Seemingly reading his thoughts, Steve didn't retreat. With a flick of his wrist, his massive shield soared through the air with a whoosh and aimed directly at Corvus Glaive's head.

Faced with Steve's thrown shield, Corvus Glaive didn't even flinch, wearing a disdainful grin.

You lost your weapon right at the start, and you still think you can defeat me? Are you a fool?

How could you possibly fight me with your bare hands now?

He charged forward with a fierce expression, intent on killing this ignorant mortal in one blow.

"Bang..." A sudden, powerful strike to the back of Corvus's head sent him crashing to the ground like a ragdoll.

"Wow, that's impressive!"

Spider-Man Peter Parker, hanging from a street lamp, whistled and called out, "Hey, ugly uncle, planning to surrender? No need to bow; we don't do that here!"

"Maybe he is just too afraid of dying..." Ant-Man remarked.

"Perhaps this guy is used to kneeling before Thanos!" Star-Lord added.

---

After landing at Stark Tower, the Guardians of the Galaxy were quickly introduced to Thor and then directed to the southern battlefield.

Though this group was amusing, they were also formidable.

Among Marvel's four chatterboxes, three were present, with one in another parallel world...

The three powerful warriors.

Corvus Glaive: "..."

The common trait among Thanos's minions was their disdain for Earthlings. They considered this place a desolate, uncivilized world—a haven of primitive people.

---

Having been humiliated by a lowly creature in his eyes and severely mocked by three superheroes, Corvus Glaive was filled with rage and intent on killing.

He lunged at Steve, only to regret it almost immediately.

On the opposing side, the native Earthling, though only enhanced, proved to be incredibly resilient.

Steve's invincible shield seemed to defied all physical laws. It seemed to be more effective than magic, always appearing in the most opportune positions.

Despite being clearly outmatched, Corvus Glaive couldn't gain the upper hand and struggled to make any progress.

"Boom…"

After an intense clash, the two combatants separated, with Steve grinning, "I could fight all day!"

---

Chapter 184: Hole Card

"I can fight all day too!" Corvus Glaive cursed, feeling increasingly concerned.

"My group was meant to be a surprise force, but here I am, bogged down by this guy. Fighting for a whole day? It's pointless, even fighting for a year wouldn't make a difference!"

Glancing around, the situation on the battlefield wasn't promising.

The giant apes were incredibly strong, roughly the size of the Hulk, giving them a significant advantage over ordinary beings.

What to do about these behemoths?

The solution is simple: get something even bigger.

"Big, big, big..."

Ant-Man shouted, drawing puzzled looks from those around him.

Ant man became Founding Titan and started Rumbling.

Even though they had seen this transformation before, Spider-Man and the others were still astonished.

A person with an average build rapidly swells in just a few seconds, becoming a towering giant in an instant.

The two-meter-high giant ape now looked like a small rodent in comparison.

"Hooooooooooooooooooooooo..."

Ant-Man's mocking laughter echoed as he raised one foot high. Spider-Man understood the signal, flicked his fingers, and a web shot out, sticking to the legs of the nearest giant ape and pulling with force.

The giant ape lost its balance and fell to the ground, struggling to get up as Spider-Man dragged it.

As the vision dimmed, a massive foot descended from the sky.

"Crackling..."

Ant-Man stomped down hard, twisting violently, and the sound of bones cracking was clearly audible.

Ant-Man's giant form is, in itself, quite unscientific. It defies not just real-world science but also remains a mystery within the Marvel universe.

The technology behind his size manipulation, known as "Pym Scaling Technology," was developed by Dr. Hank Pym.

Using "Pym Particles" and specialized suits, this technology enables controlled size changes.

By altering the density through compressing or stretching the distance between molecules, the physical properties remain unchanged—whether enlarging or reducing volume.

Thus, despite changes in size, strength and weight should theoretically remain constant. This has been confirmed when he shrinks.

However, when he enlarges, everything changes. Not only does his weight increase proportionally, but his strength also becomes far greater, as if he had truly become a giant.

Knocking down a giant Leviathan with a single punch surpasses the capabilities of mortals, even the Hulk.

Not to mention the weight of the Black Dwarf, which could flatten an area...

The only drawback of becoming so large is reduced agility. But with the help of teammates, this flaw is manageable.

As Ant-Man prepared to lift his foot again, Wanda took action.

Red energy enveloped another giant ape, pulling it with a wave of her hand.

"Crack..."

Corvus Glaive's eyes twitched wildly.

Why are there so many formidable beings on Earth?

In the original battle of Wakanda, Ant-Man had been helping Dr. Pym rescue the Wasp, missing the fight, and was subsequently trapped in the Quantum Realm. His daughter didn't recognize him when he emerged...

At this moment, Thanos had initiated the Infinity War early, and Ant-Man had been imprisoned due to the "Sokovia Act," with no access to the Quantum Realm...

Corvus Glaive's expression darkened.

To the north, Asgardian and Wakandan soldiers struggled against the relentless Vanguard forces.

In terms of individual strength, Asgardian soldiers were the strongest, followed by Wakandan soldiers, with the Vanguard and Chitauri being the weakest.

However, neither Asgard nor Wakanda had a large population.

Their numbers were limited, and even fewer were available to fight.

Thor and T'Challa couldn't afford to send every able-bodied person into battle—such actions are only taken in extreme cases of existential threat, even if victory is achieved.

This would severely deplete their resources, and recovery would be arduous, taking thousands of years.

But Thanos had no such concerns.

For him, whether it's the Chitauri or the Vanguard, their value is limited to this one battle. If he wins, it's a success; if he loses, their continued existence is irrelevant.

Even with Stark and the others providing aerial support and a black dragon constantly unleashing its breath on the ground, it couldn't compensate for the sheer numerical disparity.

"Dammit!"

Stark exclaimed in frustration. "Thanos has so many minions! We're running out of ammunition!"

He then called over the communicator, "Thor, what other cards do you have? Use them quickly, or we're all going to be overwhelmed!"

At the Thanos Sanctuary, Thanos observed the chaos below with a smirk.

He had been waiting for this moment.

--

Chapter 185: Unexpected Reinforcements

There was no way to break the stalemate, and Thor could end it with a single strike.

Crowd tactics were ineffective against a magician with a super-wide range attack, and Thor was perfectly suited to handle it.

In the past, only a few brave souls dared to enter the realm of the Giants of Jotunheim, but they weren't there to offer assistance.

However, it was clearly not the right moment for Thor to leave, as Thanos had not yet appeared.

If Thor left the Thanos Sanctuary, Thanos would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to attack the rear.

Baron Mordo likely wouldn't act directly, but he would still open the way for Thanos.

But...

"Don't worry, reinforcements will arrive soon!"

Thor gave a mysterious smile.

"Reinforcements?"

Stark was a bit confused. Who else could be coming to the battle?

"Could it be an interstellar ally?"

Thor shook his head. "No, it's someone from Earth."

Cutting the comm, Thor called Ant-Man.

"Scott, come down the Northern Line; your assistance is needed here."

"No problem!"

The enemy on the South Road had suffered heavy losses and couldn't afford to regroup effectively.

Ant-Man watched as a golden circle of light formed beneath him, adjusted his size back to normal, and arrived at the rear of the northern battlefield.

Noticing Stark's gaze above, he grinned. "Hey, reinforcements are on their way, and I'm bringing them!"

Stark grew more puzzled. Were there other hidden forces on Earth besides Wakanda and Kamar-Taj?

He soon found out.

The Earth began to tremble, the sound of thousands of troops marching echoed through the battlefield.

Stark turned to see a dark mass approaching...

"Wow, is this our reinforcements?"

Stark exclaimed in surprise. "It's strange; when did New York hide so many people?"

Friday's voice chimed in: "Boss, they're not people."

"Oh?" Stark raised an eyebrow and used the binoculars attached to his armor, his eyes widening in disbelief...

At the front of the battlefield, an Asgardian soldier had just impaled a Vanguard with a single thrust, marking his fifth kill.

As he pulled out his spear, another Vanguard rushed him, throwing him to the ground and opening its bloody mouth to bite his throat...

"Ah—"

A black shadow flashed before his eyes, and death did not come as expected.

The soldier turned to see the enemy rolling on the ground, and what was attacking and biting it was an ant.

Not just any ant, but one over a meter long!

Not only him but also his comrades and the superheroes around were stunned as they watched the huge ants and Vanguards entangled in a chaotic mass.

Stark: ""

"Thor, what kind of ants are these? An Asgardian species?"

"No, they're just ordinary black ants."

Thor's tone was relaxed. "You see, Dr. Pym has a method to enlarge things. He can make himself and other objects grow.

That's how the cars at the German airport suddenly became gigantic.

Unfortunately, he can currently only communicate with ants; he hasn't figured out how to control other insects yet.

Otherwise, he might unleash a swarm of buffalo-sized mosquitoes..."

Stark was taken aback. He suddenly felt that his Iron Legion, which was still in development and designed to arm the world, wasn't as impressive as he'd thought...

As mentioned before, there were some quirks in the Pym particles' enlargement function. When an object's volume increases, so does its strength and mass.

Theoretically, ants can lift objects hundreds of times their body weight, and while this is less exaggerated after using Pym particles, it still makes them formidable.

Additionally, the unique exoskeleton structure of insects provides them with a thick layer of armor.

The Avengers were both surprised and delighted by the sudden appearance of friendly forces, while Thanos was frustrated and enraged...

"Boom—"

Thanos struck angrily, causing another explosion on the computer screen.

He had used his left arm this time, which was still bandaged and not fully healed...

The sharp pain in his shoulder reminded him of his current predicament.

The defeat on the third front forced him to consider other strategies.

His original plan was to lure Thor out and then personally attack the Thanos Sanctuary to ensure nothing went wrong. But Thor seemed to have anticipated his move and refused to leave, as if his sole focus was on Thanos from the very beginning.

--

Chapter 186: Thanos Enters

A loud explosion shook the entire Thanos Sanctuary II.

"What happened?" Thanos asked urgently, his ominous premonitions becoming clearer.

"My lord, a large number of enemy spaceships are attacking us! Our frigate is no match for them!"

"Who is attacking? How many are there?" Thanos demanded in a deep voice.

"There are too many to count, and they are from different groups. The largest contingents include Asgardian battleships, Xandar's Nova Legion, and Marauders."

"A bunch of troublemakers!" Thanos cursed angrily.

Most of these groups, except for the strongest ones, usually wouldn't dare challenge him directly. Now that they see an opportunity with the Earth in turmoil, they are all seizing the chance to cause trouble.

What was even more frustrating was that Thanos Sanctuary II was still under repair, and the weapon systems were not fully operational. Facing these attacks, it was as ineffective as a toothless tiger.

"You don't have time for hesitation."

Baron Mordo's voice came through: "After today, whether you win or lose, your army will lose its power to dominate the universe. This is your last chance. Only by summoning my master can you turn defeat into victory. This is your final opportunity."

Thanos clenched his fists, his anger gradually giving way to a bone-chilling cold...

On the battlefield north of Manhattan, the arrival of the ant army had reversed the situation, shifting the balance of victory towards the Avengers.

Thor watched it all from above.

To Thor, Ant-Man's value was not just in his size-changing abilities.

Thor wasn't a scientist and didn't handle academic work, but he had a knack for coming up with strategies that others might overlook.

Transforming so many ants wasn't something that could be achieved with Dr. Pym's resources alone.

So, several months ago, Thor had asked King to provide substantial funding under the guise of Wilson Fisk, preparing a large stockpile of Pym particles in advance.

Flames occasionally flared in the sky, indicating that Thanos' base was under attack.

While the situation looked promising, Thor's expression grew increasingly serious.

Thanos would not accept defeat easily; a desperate move was inevitable.

On the battlefield, Ant-Man Scott Lang was enthusiastically directing the ant army into battle.

He never imagined he'd one day become a commander of thousands of troops...

A circle of light quietly appeared behind him.

Most people didn't notice or didn't pay it any mind.

Everyone was familiar with the Kamar-Taj portal, thinking it was just friendly reinforcements...

Only the perceptive Stark noticed something was off and shouted, "Be careful! This isn't from Kamar-Taj..."

Before he could finish his warning, a golden glove emerged from the portal and placed itself on Ant-Man's back. Thanos then stepped through, wielding his signature weapon, the Overlord Skyblade, in his left hand.

The light of the Mind Stone flashed, and confusion clouded Scott Lang's eyes. His willpower was weak, and he was instantly controlled.

The ant army stopped, aimlessly wandering for a few seconds as if they had lost their purpose, then all turned their attention to the Avengers.

"This is bad!" Stark thought, preparing to act when another portal appeared above Ant-Man's head. The Mantis Girl fell from the sky and landed on him.

"Sleep!"

Ant-Man collapsed to the ground, and Stark quickly moved him away as the ants scattered.

Thanos grinned and flicked his hand. The Overlord Skyblade twirled through the air, severing limbs and leaving a trail of destruction, leaving no armor intact.

"Roar..." Hulk roared furiously, swinging his sledgehammer at the flying blade.

"Boom—"

With a deafening noise, Hulk's huge hammer was sent flying, while the Overlord Skyblade continued to slice across Hulk's chest before retreating.

Green blood spewed from Hulk, sending him reeling backward like a kite with a broken string.

Thanos had defeated the Hulk in one strike!

Black Panther took advantage of the moment and charged forward with incredible agility, his sharp claws aiming to tear at Thanos.

However, Thanos moved faster than Black Panther. His bulky frame was surprisingly agile. With a swift swipe of his gloved right hand, Black Panther was sent flying meters away, unconscious upon hitting the ground.

Despite Thor's efforts, Thanos remained the top villain in the universe. Except for Thor, no one present could match him, and few were even qualified to fight him.

... It was a delusion to think otherwise.

---

Chapter 187: The Death of Ebony Maw

A massive thunderbolt, several meters thick, descended from the sky, striking Thanos and sending him crashing down. The sky darkened instantly, and Thor's battle axe, Stormbreaker, gleamed in his hand, poised to deliver a devastating blow.

Realizing the immense power of Stormbreaker, Thanos managed to roll away, still stunned from the lightning strike, narrowly avoiding the fatal attack.

The impact of the axe striking the ground was not in vain. Thunderous energy, drawn by Stormbreaker, surged through the area, roaring and crashing down. Everything in its path, whether it was the vanguard forces or Chitauri soldiers, was annihilated.

With the ant army's withdrawal putting immense pressure on his own forces, Thanos' side found their surroundings suddenly cleared of enemies.

One blow had the power to obliterate entire armies! This was the moment they had been waiting for.

Thanos could no longer be distracted by the fate of his subordinates. He gripped the Overlord Skyblade tightly and focused solely on Thor.

Thor, equally cautious, prepared for direct confrontation rather than a surprise attack.

It felt like a fated showdown.

Both sides' soldiers moved away, creating a large open space on the battlefield. Despite the ongoing fights elsewhere, many on both sides were intently observing the confrontation.

This was a duel of the strongest.

Thanos launched the first attack, sending the Overlord Skyblade soaring through the sky. Thor advanced, leaping with Stormbreaker in hand, and delivered a powerful slash at Thanos.

Thanos brought up the Overlord Skyblade to block the strike.

"Boom—"

In Brooklyn, the Chitauri soldiers trapped in the confined space had been nearly wiped out. Some had fallen to Jean Grey's attacks, while others had tried to counterattack but ended up hitting their own side instead.

Jean Grey showed no mercy to these invaders.

Ebony Maw was nearly frantic.

For the first time, he felt powerless while watching his troops perish. This was Thanos' most crucial battle yet.

But there was nothing he could do.

Even Thanos couldn't manage [his forces. When the battle commenced, he intentionally avoided the most critical areas of Brooklyn, unsure of Kamar-Taj's impact here.

Mages like those from Kamar-Taj were highly defensive, meaning the invaders were rendered powerless in close combat.

Yet, when prepared, these mages could create magical traps far beyond their own strength, leading opponents into deadly traps.

Thanos' rationality had prevailed, and in a sense, Brooklyn, including Ebony Maw, had been abandoned.

A piece of iron slowly rose from the ground and sliced across Ebony Maw's neck.

Ebony Maw could neither stop nor evade. He was no match for Jean Grey. Once his psychokinesis faltered, the outcome was sealed.

At this moment, another general under Thanos had fallen.

The Black Order, which had once caused chaos across the universe, now consisted only of Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight.

Proxima Midnight, however, had yet to make an appearance.

In the southern battlefield of Manhattan, after Ant-Man's departure, the lack of a giant ape-like threat eased the pressure on Thanos' forces.

However, most of their primary combat power—the giant ape army—had been decimated, and the remaining forces were still in shock and disarray, unable to contribute effectively.

Currently, they were being overwhelmed and pushed back by the Avengers, with the battle line tightly constrained near the coastline.

Corvus Glaive realized he needed to deploy significant firepower.

Suddenly, the sea became turbulent as massive gears emerged from the water. This was the Thanos Legion's heavy artillery—the Gear Chariot!

The Gear Chariot sped toward the Avengers, its firepower directed at one of its flanks, attempting to change its course, but to no avail.

The ground was torn apart, and buildings were reduced to rubble in its path, leaving only deep fissures behind.

At a crucial moment, Wanda took decisive action.

Red energy radiated from her. To Corvus Glaive's astonishment, the rapidly advancing Gear Chariot came to a halt, was lifted into the air, and redirected toward him.

Wanda's telekinesis was pushed to its limits as she reversed the chariot's direction, sending it crashing towards Corvus Glaive.

"Damn it!" Corvus Glaive's expression changed in alarm. He quickly moved to avoid the chariot, but his soldiers weren't so fortunate. The Gear Chariot mowed through them like a lawnmower, creating a path of destruction.

Corvus Glaive's side suffered a significant blow.

At that moment, a burst of thunder illuminated the sky, with continuous flashes of lightning.

Corvus Glaive was initially startled but then grew serious, quickly picking up his communicator and whispering: "He's arrived!"

--

Chapter 188: Stealing the House for a While

Thanos' plan from the beginning had been to divert attention. The remaining three members of the Black Order were in disarray—Corvus Glaive was being defeated on the southern coast, Ebony Maw had already been subdued, and Proxima Midnight had yet to make her appearance.

Proxima Midnight had been waiting for the right moment, hoping Thor would leave the sanctuary. This was a crucial part of the plan, and only Thanos himself could handle it.

However, Thor was not easily deceived. After all, his home had been stolen once in Asgard, and another time at Sanctuary II. If one didn't guard the crystal well, it was like handing over a mallet.

With defeats on several fronts and fires at the rear, Thanos had no choice but to act personally.

He couldn't understand why Thor had such a relentless desire to kill him. Even though he hadn't provoked Asgard initially, Thor's animosity was apparent.

The only person capable of leading Thor was Thanos himself. The task of infiltrating the Sanctuary and destroying it fell to Proxima Midnight.

Thanos' presence alone could turn the tide of battle, but if Thor refused to relent...

"You're moving too slowly."

"You're no longer the Destroyer you once were; it's time for you to retire."

"The rear waves of the River push forward, while the front waves die on the beach. You're the one I've pushed to death on the beach, so stop struggling."

"Why are you hiding? If you're a man, just come here..."

Thor continued to exhale deeply.

Despite years of countless battles, he had never felt as comfortable as he did now.

This was the first time he had truly overpowered Thanos in a direct confrontation.

Thanos was indeed stronger and more skilled in combat.

Yet Thor was more than just a warrior. His combination of magic and martial prowess provided him an advantage. Even if the power of thunder couldn't directly harm Thanos, it still created significant disruption.

Moreover, Thor's superhuman resilience allowed him to exchange blows with Thanos without hesitation.

Thanos' left arm, still recovering, was not as visible, but it proved to be a severe disadvantage in a life-and-death battle.

From the start, Thanos had no real chance of winning.

When the battle axe and the broadsword clashed, Thanos saw an opportunity. He slashed with all his might against the axe.

While Thor was momentarily off-balance, Thanos executed a rapid series of strikes.

"Bang bang bang"

Thor's hands went numb from the impact. The axe was slightly deflected, and the broadsword came dangerously close to his neck.

Thor barely managed to deflect the blow, but Thanos tried to pull back his weapon. Thor seized the blade with one hand.

Despite the pain, Thor's grip delayed Thanos, allowing the battle axe to cut along the sword.

"Click"

Even though Thanos withdrew his hand quickly, it was too late. The electric current from Stormbreaker made his limbs numb, slowing his movements. The axe's blade grazed Thanos' waist.

"Ugh..." Thanos grimaced, clutching his waist and gasping for breath.

Thor raised his left hand, which still held the sword, and taunted—

"It took all that effort just to make me bleed a drop?"

Thanos' expression darkened with frustration.

Nearby, Stark, who had been watching the battle closely, gave Thor an approving thumbs-up—well done!

The saying goes that it's better to break one than to injure ten, and Thanos knew this well.

But knowing something and achieving it are different. With Thor's current strength, it was difficult to inflict significant damage unless he stood still and offered his neck willingly.

Despite Thanos' extensive fighting experience, his sword had only managed to leave shallow cuts on Thor. For a seasoned warrior like Thor, these were merely minor injuries.

Trying to accumulate damage over time, hoping for a significant change, was a futile dream.

On the other hand, Thor's attacks were lethal. He had struck Thanos' waist, causing severe bleeding...

And throughout, Thor had not ceased mocking Thanos.

Suddenly, the sky brightened as flames spread, accompanied by continuous explosions.

Both Thanos and Thor knew it was the destruction of the massive battleship .

Having sustained countless attacks, the battleship, now nothing more than a defenseless shell, was completely destroyed.

Thanos glanced at the wreckage with a hint of nostalgia before turning his gaze back to Thor: "Do you really believe you've won?"

Thor remained silent.

Thanos smirked cruelly: "After all this time, some things should be nearly done."

He then looked towards the direction of the Sanctuary.

The expressions of Stark and the others changed dramatically.

--

Chapter 189: Capsizing

In the original plan, the Thanos Legion used a massive gear chariot to lure Wanda, leading to Vision being captured by Corvus Glaive.

In this timeline, it was Proxima Midnight who carried out this task.

She moved stealthily.

While the powerful sorcerers of Kamar-Taj went to Brooklyn to confront Ebony Maw, the remaining defenders here were inept and couldn't even open a portal. Proxima Midnight easily dealt with them.

Though Proxima Midnight, as Thanos' loyal subordinate, was frustrated by the high price paid for others' plans, she understood that this was an unavoidable task.

Navigating cautiously, she finally reached the end of the corridor, where a massive orb inscribed with magical runes radiated faint magical energy.

Destroying this magical artifact would completely dismantle the protection around this world, allowing Dormammu to enter!

In return, Dormammu would offer Thanos the raw power he sought, and then Thanos could snap his fingers to reshape reality.

At this moment, Proxima Midnight sensed something amiss.

Everything had gone too smoothly, almost as if it was set up deliberately. Knowing that this was the most crucial location, it was improbable that Thor would leave without setting up defenses.

With only a few rookie magicians left, a fully armed special forces team should have been more than capable of handling them!

She paused cautiously.

"Why aren't you continuing? Break this orb, and this Sanctuary will be rendered powerless."

A cold voice, as if from the depths of the underworld, echoed from all directions.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Proxima Midnight demanded, her face paling in fright. Like a cat startled by a sudden threat, her hair bristled as she raised her weapon and scanned the surroundings.

From the darkened corner, a slender figure emerged slowly.

Outside, facing the shock of Stark, Black Panther, and others, Thanos laughed maniacally: "It's too late! You will soon understand true despair! The Asgardians will be too preoccupied to protect this planet!"

Contrary to Thanos' expectation, Thor remained calm and unshaken: "Is this your plan? To lure me out of the Sanctum so your minions can sneak in and cause destruction?"

Thanos frowned, puzzled by Thor's reaction.

Could it be that...

Thanos' heart sank.

Inside the Sanctuary, a slender figure stepped out of the shadows.

Proxima Midnight didn't recognize her, but she knew exactly who she was. This overwhelming aura of death left no doubt...

Princess of Asgard, Goddess of Death—Hela!

Seeing her remain silent, Hela spoke first, commanding: "Kneel!"

Proxima Midnight thought: "Never! I will only kneel to Lord Thanos in this life!"

"What? Do you still wish to resist?"

Hela said, gathering her long black hair into sharp, sword-like spikes as she advanced slowly.

Proxima Midnight gritted her teeth and responded, "As far as I know, it was Odin who sealed you away, and now his son has taken your throne! Are you willing to just give up? Why sacrifice your life for him?"

Proxima Midnight knew she couldn't defeat Hela. Even Thanos would find this goddess of death, who had conquered the universe, a formidable opponent.

She tried to provoke a reaction by highlighting the strained relationship between Hela and Thor. After all, the former eldest princess didn't seem to have a happy history with other Asgardian royalty.

As anticipated, Hela halted her approach.

Proxima Midnight seized the opportunity, continuing: "Why not ally with us? Lord Thanos' goal is to eradicate half the population, not to rule the world. Once he achieves his objective, the throne of Asgard will be yours!"

Hela's smile turned mocking: "Is it really a win-win deal?"

Proxima Midnight, elated by the apparent agreement, was about to respond when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Looking down in horror, she saw a black dagger embedded in her chest. She struggled to lift her head and tried to speak, but no words came out.

"Do you want to know why?" Hela whispered. "Then think about it more."

Proxima Midnight: "...0."

Hela, no longer interested, turned and walked away.

Asgard's internal conflicts were intricate and difficult for outsiders to comprehend.

Hela had ambitions, but that didn't mean she was willing to collaborate with outsiders. Even wiping out half the population seemed trivial compared to her own goals.

Moreover, who could forget that the last Ragnarok was instigated by these very people, and she had yet to seek retribution!

Hela's connection to Asgard was as strong, if not stronger, than Thor's.

--

Chapter 190: The Defeat of Thanos

Proxima Midnight did not come alone; she was accompanied by a group of commandos who were swiftly dealt with by a flurry of flying swords, turning them into skeleton warriors.

Now, she was pinned to the wall by a black dagger, her vision fading, with only one thought circling in her mind—she feared she would never witness Thanos' victory.

It seemed that she was not the only one left in the dark. Thanos, too, was oblivious to the turn of events.

With a loud crash, the Overlord's Heavenly Blade was shattered, split in two by Stormbreaker.

Thanos stared in disbelief at the remains of his once-unbreakable weapon, which had been a symbol of his invincibility, much like himself. Yet, today, it had broken and could not withstand the might of Stormbreaker.

Inside the Sanctuary in New York, there was a long silence. Thanos attempted to initiate a call but received no response.

He knew something was wrong.

In the air, Stark suddenly received a message and shouted with excitement: "Good news! Steve told me that Corvus Glaive has been defeated! Strange also reported that Ebony Maw is dead!"

A Chitauri-turned-skeleton soldier emerged from the direction of the Sanctuary, carrying Proxima Midnight's weapon and presenting it to Thor.

Thanos observed Thor with a complex expression. More than a decade ago, he had seen this young Asgardian for the first time and could never have imagined that this would become his greatest adversary.

Thanos gave a wry smile. Back then, Thor was merely a brash young warrior, not yet the formidable force he had become. It wasn't until Thor, Wanda, and Carol had thwarted his plans at Nidavellir and caused him to lose Black Dwarf that Thanos took him seriously.

Thor remained vigilant.

He understood better than anyone how relentless Thanos was. Concepts like surrender or defeat were foreign to him.

Even at the end of his previous life, with most of his body shattered by Stormbreaker, Thanos had stubbornly clung to his plan to snap his fingers.

As expected, Thanos, holding the remnants of the Overlord's Heavenly Blade, charged at Thor with a vengeful aura.

Proxima Midnight's plan had failed, and Dormammu's so-called support had probably fallen apart. But surrender was not in Thanos' vocabulary.

A fierce battle ensued, destroying nearly everything around them, before finally coming to a halt.

"Cough, cough..."

Thanos, drenched in blood, propped himself up on his hands and knelt on the ground, coughing uncontrollably. Stormbreaker had inflicted a severe wound on his chest, exposing his thick bones in a ghastly display.

If it had been anyone else, they would have succumbed long ago. Yet, Thanos bore at least three such wounds.

He sighed as he met the gazes of the Avengers Alliance members.

Ultimately, it was a failure.

Despite his early psychological preparation, this was a path of no return.

He would either achieve his goal, live the life he had always envisioned, and witness the sunrise amidst the gratitude and curses of half the universe, or die fighting for his ideals.

"Clang..."

The Overlord's Heavenly Blade fell to the ground.

With everyone watching, Thanos said, "I request a dignified death."

As the battle drew to a close, many from the other battlefields gathered to witness the end of an era.

Among the crowd stood a hooded magician, observing Thanos with apparent contemplation. Being from Kamar-Taj, he was accustomed to remaining unnoticed.

Thor, with a heavy heart, picked up his battle axe and approached. Gamora beside him could not help but close her eyes.

Thanos glanced at Gamora with a conflicted expression before closing his eyes once more, awaiting his fate.

As Thor's footsteps grew closer, Thanos, who had been waiting for death, suddenly felt a surge of determination.

No! He had not yet lost!

Thanos opened his eyes abruptly and, seeing Thor almost at his side, quickly extended his right hand, shaking his head.

A brilliant ray shot out from the Infinity Gauntlet, heading straight for Thor.

"Dammit! Thanos, you bastard!"

Caught off guard, Thor swore and instinctively raised his axe to block the rays, but was thrown back several meters.

"Boom..."

The ray, deflected by Thor's axe, shot off in all directions, tearing up the ground and creating a long scar as smoke and dust filled the air.

As the smoke cleared, everyone stared in astonishment at the field—

Where was Thanos?

---

Chapter 191: Garden

"Was that really Thanos?"

Star-Lord nudged Gamora.

"Uh... it seems so," Gamora replied, disbelief evident in her voice. "I've never seen Thanos retreat before..."

Thor cut in, "That's because he hasn't faced me before. I drove him away once on Vormir."

Everyone was at a loss for words.

"..."

Stark landed heavily, emerging from a deep crater. His Mark 50 battle armor was battered, with many internal malfunctions making a smooth landing nearly impossible.

"Damn it, the armor I just had repaired is ruined again," Stark grumbled, then asked, "So, where did Thanos go?"

Thor rolled his eyes. "How should I know?"

He turned to Strange, who had just arrived. "Did someone open a portal for him?"

Strange nodded. "It was a cultist who was influenced by Mordo. He sent Thanos away at a critical moment."

Thor felt a twinge of irritation. Not only had he failed to finish the job, but now he was also being obstructed from stopping Thanos.

"Where's that cultist? I need to interrogate him."

Strange shook his head. "I'm afraid it's too late."

He pointed to a pool of stains nearby. "His life was consumed by Dormammu. The power of the Dark Dimension comes with a price."

Thor was momentarily taken aback but accepted the situation with a sigh.

"Wait, the real question now is, where did Thanos go?"

Stark chimed in, "Do you think he's just going to disappear and never come back?"

"Impossible!" Thor asserted. "His forces are decimated, and he's sustained several severe injuries.

The damage from Stormbreaker might be beyond even the Thanos Time to use Time Gem to heal.

If he tried to use the Gem's power while seriously injured, he might end up needing a wheelchair."

With Thor's confident assertion, everyone present felt a bit more at ease. As the strongest Avenger who had defeated Thanos, Thor's words carried weight.

"But the problem is... Thanos took both the Time Gem and the Mind Gem. Without them, I can't revive Vision," Stark lamented.

"Don't worry," Thor said, patting Stark on the shoulder. "We'll track him down. Infinity Gems can't be destroyed. At worst, they might be reduced to an atomic state, but they can be restored.

Even if the gems were turned into atoms, Thanos wouldn't be able to keep them that way. He only has two gems, so he doesn't have the ability to do that.

Wanda, the only one capable of destroying gems, is with us."

"Alright, I'm off to find traces of him."

Stark departed, his injuries and damaged armor requiring immediate attention.

Thor had a few theories about Thanos' whereabouts—either Titan, which was now deserted except for Surtur, or some unknown planet mentioned in the original timeline.

With Titan gone and no name for the unknown planet, finding it was a challenge.

"Nebula, did Thanos ever mention where he planned to go after achieving his goals?"

Nebula looked confused. "I was taken out of Sanctuary II more than ten years ago. How would I know?"

She was only eleven or twelve when she left Sanctuary II, so retirement plans were unlikely part of her experience.

However, someone must know.

"Thanos often talked about his grand plan, trying to convince me to adopt his philosophy," Gamora said to Thor.

"I once asked him where he would go after accomplishing his goal. His answer was always the same."

"Go to that garden."

Star-Lord shrugged. "I never imagined Thanos would have a retirement plan for himself."

Thor pressed on, "Do you know where this garden is?"

"I do, but I'm not sure if he's there. Given his current situation, he might not give up so easily and could be active elsewhere."

Thor replied, "We'll head there and keep watch. I have a feeling he'll go to that place."

At that moment, a cold female voice spoke from behind them, "Then we'll take it back!"

...

Chapter 192: Tracking

"Is the situation resolved?"

Thor glanced at Captain Marvel as she entered the room.

"Resolved. The Supreme Intelligence is no more," Carol replied succinctly.

The exchange was brief but significant. It appeared that Carol had done an exceptional job, pushing into the Kree's stronghold and defeating the Supreme Intelligence.

Although the Supreme Intelligence was essentially an advanced form of Ultron, serving as the central overseer of the Kree, its defeat meant the Kree's power was severely crippled. For years to come, the Kree would likely lose their influence in the universe.

With the Kree and Skrull back on equal footing, Thor did not inquire further.

News had come from the Marauders, who had scoured the unknown planet but found no trace of Thanos, suggesting he had not returned.

Thor remained silent on the matter.

Unlike in the original timeline, Thanos had not left as a victor and would likely cause trouble elsewhere. But even if he tried, his efforts would be futile. The Avengers were united and no longer fighting among themselves.

Captain Marvel, the strongest Avenger, had returned to Earth ahead of schedule. Hela, once a formidable villain, was now an ally. Although Hela might not follow Thor's orders for everything, she would be resolute in dealing with Thanos.

With such a formidable lineup, even a Thanos wielding all six Infinity Stones would find it difficult to prevail.

Thor instructed the Marauders to monitor the unnamed planet and to enlist the help of friends across the universe to search for Thanos. While many were eager to engage Thanos directly, finding information would be the primary task.

The Grandmaster was a prime candidate for gathering intelligence. With his arena on Sakaar hosting a vast number of beings, it was the perfect place to pick up rumors.

"Where's Mordo?" Thor asked a few days later, having finished dealing with some aftermath.

Strange shook his head. "No trace of him. He has embraced Dormammu's power, and now his strength rivals mine."

Thor silently expressed his frustration. "You must have seen the future, right? Otherwise, why would you have given up the Eye of Agamotto? Since you can foresee the future, how can you not know where Mordo is now?"

Strange hesitated, his expression showing discomfort. "You're correct. I've glimpsed 14 million possible futures, and only one ends favorably."

"Then what?" Thor pressed.

"But why would you assume Mordo's current actions align with the most favorable timeline?"

Thor began to understand. Doctor Strange, as a defender of the timeline, would aim to guide events towards the best outcome. However, this future might not be favorable for villains, who might deviate from this path.

Strange continued, "Even now, there are countless possibilities for Mordo's actions. My observations, aided by the Eye of Agamotto, cover only 14 million outcomes, but this is not exhaustive."

Thor's frustration deepened. "So, whether in the original history or now, there's no certainty in just 14 million scenarios? You've only seen 14 million endings, and only one is successful!"

Strange interrupted Thor's thoughts. "Oh, and there's something else. The young lady beside you—her power is dangerous. The item around her neck..."

Strange chose his words carefully. "Magical items alone cannot fully suppress her power. They work under normal conditions, but if her power explodes, these measures will be ineffective."

Although the device around Jean Grey's neck was invisible to most, it was detectable by powerful sorcerers like Strange or Wanda.

A few days ago, Wanda had inquired, "Hey beautiful lady, why do you wear a collar around your neck?"

Then, Wanda had been hunted for three days and nights...

Returning to the matter at hand, it was clear that the current measures to control Jean's Phoenix Force were insufficient. They were merely temporary solutions.

From another perspective, Thor's growing strength might eventually enable him to help Jean manage the Phoenix Force more effectively, resolving the issue.

"Thor, we have a situation!" Natalia's message came through urgently.

"The Marauders have reported—they've lost track of it!"