For Thanos and Immortal Kang, it's crystal clear—they're using each other.
Kang wants Thanos to tie up Ronan's legs; Thanos wants all the Infinity Stones to nail his "grand vision."
On that level, they're peas in a pod.
"My plan's simple—just handle one guy."
"If you can't take him out, stall him—keep him in this universe."
Immortal Kang grinned at Thanos.
Sounds easy—his "task" or condition—but it's not.
For a cosmic heavyweight like Thanos, offing one dude's a breeze.
Send goons, go himself, whatever.
If that flops, he's got a near-invincible fleet.
Trap the target on a planet, and the armada's firepower turns it to dust.
Sure, that last resort clashes with Thanos's noble dream.
He rarely pulls it.
Kang's sly move? Options.
Can't kill him? Stall him.
Seems lenient, but it's a backhanded jab—you might not be able to kill him.
Classic goading—most spot it a mile off.
Thanos included.
"Spit it out—who?"
Thanos saw through it, didn't call it out—just asked the name.
Kang's smile widened.
"Ronan, Earthling, Supreme Sorcerer of the human realm."
"He's on your hit list too—got at least the Space and Time Stones."
Kang dropped the ID.
So what if the trick's busted?
It works, that's enough.
Even if Thanos clocked the bait, his pride wouldn't let it slide like nothing.
Cool outside, simmering inside.
All in Kang's grip, it seemed.
"Supreme Sorcerer?"
Thanos half-asked, half-echoed.
He knew the title—knew Earth's top mage held the Time Stone he craved.
Kamar-Taj's crew, Vishanti's lackeys.
Vishanti, the trinity god—Thanos had some intel.
"Yup, him."
"Bare minimum? Don't let him leave this universe—one month."
"Starting when the job kicks off, of course."
Kang "reminded" Thanos again.
Stalling counts as a win.
"Hmph…"
"Got it."
"Once I snag the other Stones, I'll hit Earth, take the last ones."
"No one's stopping my dream."
Thanos snorted, irked by Kang's nagging.
Kang didn't flinch.
"Here's hoping…"
"I'd love to trust your… promise."
Words polite, but when Kang glanced up, contempt flickered.
"No one can stop me"? Laughable.
Countless parallel Thanos-es chased the same gig—less than a third pulled it off.
Some got blindsided by Earth's random cosmic champ.
Others? Humans cracked time travel, undid him.
Wildest one? A Thanos ditched the Soul Stone for some daughter named Gamora.
Yup—one universe's Thanos did that.
For an ambition junkie? Hilarious.
Another even turned cosmic guardian!
Pure comedy.
Kang wouldn't spill that, though.
Thanos's choices? Didn't care.
Half this universe lives or dies—Thanos's fate—whatever.
He'd swoop in at the clutch, grab all parallel universes, make Kangs kings again.
Rest's noise.
"Future guy—anything else?"
Thanos logged Kang's times and spots, eyeing the still-lingering Kang.
"Nope, that's it."
"Looking forward to your good news."
"Thirty days out, my gig starts—hope our deal wraps smooth."
Kang shook his head with a smile, dipped a bow, and a portal flared up.
He stepped through—gone.
After a long quiet, Ebony Maw slunk out.
"Lord Thanos—watch him. Smells like a deeper scheme."
"He's not that simple."
Maw, self-styled strategist, piped up fast.
Anyone could see Kang's bad faith.
Did Thanos care?
"I know what he's scheming—but a foe this small fry's got him spooked?"
Thanos squinted.
He wondered too—what's this Supreme Sorcerer got that's got Kang like this?
Some hidden edge?
And why's this "future" Kang not handling it himself?
Stall or kill—Thanos saw one outcome.
"Then I'll go to Earth for you, Lord Thanos—fetch the Time and Space Stones!"
Maw jumped in again.
Thanos shook his head.
"No—before that, something bigger's on deck."
"My plan needs every piece."
"Ebony Maw—those things I sent you for—got 'em?"
Thanos pinned him with a look.
"My lord, we've secured what you asked—stashed where you said."
Maw bowed quick.
No clue what it's for.
Looked like weapon-crafting stuff.
Facing his mighty boss, "dunno" was his only play.
"Good—tell Gamora to grab the Power Stone, full speed."
"Rally the whole fleet—target…"
"Nidavellir!"