Marvel & Wattpad's Metal Man

Chapter 6

The next day, Aqil Muhtadi returned home, seething with anger after watching news reports of the escalating crisis in the Gulmira region. The guilt and responsibility for the devastation caused by his company's weapons weighed heavily on his shoulders.

In his workshop, Aqil meticulously tested modifications to his hand repulsors, transforming them into a powerful weapon capable of blasting through solid glass panes effortlessly. The Mark 3 armor, adorned with the classic hot-rod red trim and gold, was completed, and an automated robotic system fitted it to his body.

Without hesitation, Aqil donned the new armor and took off at hypersonic speed, flying straight to Gulmira, determined to rectify the wrongs committed by his company's weapons. In the war-torn region, terrorists were ruthlessly targeting innocent civilians for capture and execution.

Upon Metal Man's arrival, the terrorists soon learned that their reign of terror had met its match. Aqil's Mark 3 armor proved to be more than a match for them. Swiftly and efficiently, he used his advanced weapons to neutralize several terrorists without causing any harm to the innocent villagers.

"Who are you?" demanded one of the terrorists, fear evident in his eyes.

"I am the reckoning that your actions have brought upon you," Aqil replied, his voice amplified by the armored suit. "You have harmed countless innocents, and today, you face the consequences."

With precise moves, Aqil skillfully disarmed the terrorists, leaving them bewildered and defenseless. "Let the villagers decide your fate," he declared, gesturing towards the captured terrorists before taking off to locate his company's weapons.

As Metal Man flew over the rugged terrain of Gulmira, he couldn't help but think of the innocent lives lost due to his inventions. "I will make things right," he vowed, clenching his fists inside the armor.

Suddenly, the skies around him erupted with enemy fire. Aqil dodged and weaved through the barrage of bullets and missiles, but one tank shell managed to strike him, sending him spiraling down towards the ground. Despite the impact, he quickly recovered and retaliated by obliterating the tank with a well-placed mini-missile.

"The gloves are off," Aqil muttered grimly, determined to end the violence once and for all.

With his palm repulsors, he destroyed the captured Jericho missiles before Raza's forces could use them for further devastation. As Raza himself arrived on the scene, Aqil took off, leaving the villain to witness the consequences of his own actions.

Unbeknownst to Aqil, his actions had caught the attention of CENTCOM at Edwards Air Force Base, who mistook him for a rogue drone. The situation escalated as Colonel Irsyad was questioned about any new developments.

"What in the world is that thing?" one of the base personnel asked, pointing at the live feed displaying Metal Man's aerial prowess.

"I have no idea, but it's fast and seems to be on our side," Colonel Irsyad replied, his eyes glued to the screen.

In the midst of the confusion, Aqil reached out to Irsyad through a secure channel, claiming innocence and ignorance of the situation. "Colonel, this is Aqil Muhtadi. I am not a threat. I'm trying to help."

"Identify yourself and your intentions," Irsyad demanded, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I'm the one they call Metal Man," Aqil said, momentarily avoiding enemy fire. "I've taken it upon myself to stop the violence in Gulmira, to put an end to the chaos caused by my company's weapons. I didn't mean to intrude on any military operations."

Irsyad hesitated for a moment before replying, "Stand down, Metal Man, and we will sort this out. Do not engage any further."

Meanwhile, Aqil found himself confronted by two F-22 Raptors, dispatched to intercept the unidentified craft. He attempted to evade the fighter jets but found himself outmatched in terms of speed and maneuverability. Desperate to protect his secret identity and prevent a further escalation, Aqil contacted Irsyad again.

"Colonel, it's me, Aqil. You have to listen," he pleaded urgently.

"I don't know who you are, but you are in restricted airspace. Turn back immediately or we will be forced to take action," warned one of the F-22 pilots.

With a sigh of frustration, Aqil reluctantly complied, pulling away from the airspace. "I'm not your enemy, Colonel. Please believe me."

Rhodey, who was now aware of the truth about Aqil's identity, was both furious and horrified at Tony's unauthorized actions. "Tony, what the hell were you thinking?" he scolded, his voice filled with concern. "You can't just go off playing superhero without telling anyone!"

"I had to do something, Rhodey," Aqil responded, his voice tinged with regret. "I couldn't stand by and watch innocent people suffer because of my mistakes."

"I get that, but there are proper channels to go through!" Rhodey argued. "You put yourself and others in danger, and you almost caused an international incident!"

As the confrontation escalated, one fighter jet closed in on Metal Man, firing a warning shot. In a split second decision, Aqil diverted the jet's attention away from him and towards the second fighter, who was caught off guard and hit by the stray shot.

"Mayday! Mayday! Ejecting!" shouted the pilot of the damaged fighter.

Aqil's heart sank as he saw the pilot struggling to deploy his parachute. Without a second thought, he swooped in, grabbing the pilot, and activated the parachute just in time, saving his life.

Through sheer determination and persuasion, Aqil convinced Irsyad to cover up the incident as a "training exercise," averting further complications. "I understand the risks, Colonel, but I can't just stand by and do nothing," Aqil said, his voice firm but sincere. "I want to make a difference, to protect innocent lives."

Irsyad sighed, realizing that Metal Man's actions were driven by a sense of responsibility and not malice. "You better be damn sure you know what you're doing," he warned. "The consequences of these actions could be far-reaching."

"I am," Aqil replied resolutely. "And I'm ready to face those consequences. But right now, there are people who need help, and I won't turn my back on them."

With that, Aqil soared back into the skies, his determination unwavering. He knew that the road ahead would be challenging, and the choices he made would have far-reaching consequences. But he was determined to use his abilities for good, to right the wrongs he had inadvertently caused, and to protect the innocent from the devastating power of his own creations. As Metal Man, he would be a beacon of hope in a world shadowed by chaos and destruction.