Marvel & Wattpad's Avengers 3: Civil War

Chapter 16

Within the oppressive confines of the Negative Zone prison, Aqil Muhtadi grappled with the weight of his choices. Accompanying Cicakman to the prison, Aqil felt the burden of hunting down those who once stood by his side. The specter of a complete ban on superhumans, wielded by the Malaysian government, loomed over their actions, driving them to embrace the Registration Act as a necessary compromise.

As Aqil delved deeper into his justifications for the Registration Act, his words carried a weight that seemed to hang in the air. Cicakman, with a furrowed brow, listened intently, his eyes reflecting a mix of skepticism and concern. The exchange between the two superheroes evolved into a dialogue that revealed the complexities of their perspectives.

"I get it, Aqil," Cicakman responded, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "But trading freedom for safety... it feels like we're compromising our very essence, our purpose."

Aqil sighed, understanding the internal struggle his comrade faced. "Cicakman, it's about finding a balance. We can't let our powers become a threat to those we're supposed to protect. The Registration Act gives us a framework to ensure accountability."

As the conversation continued, Aqil's reasoning became more nuanced. He spoke of the potential benefits, envisioning a society where super teams worked in tandem with the government, fostering trust and cooperation. Cicakman, however, remained skeptical, his instincts warning him of the possible pitfalls that lay ahead.

Just then, the guard, an observer to this impassioned exchange, handed Aqil a small, silver ringgit that had been discovered under Cicakman's tongue. The metallic glint caught the heroes' attention, and as Aqil studied the coin, a shadow of realization crossed his face.

"What's this?" Aqil asked, his eyes narrowing.

The guard hesitated before responding, "Found it during the routine examination. Seems like a little keepsake."

Aqil turned to Cicakman, the unspoken tension between them growing thicker. Cicakman, his expression unreadable, finally broke the silence. "A symbol, perhaps. Like Judas and his thirty pieces of silver."

The reference hung in the air like a dark cloud, and the weight of betrayal settled between the two heroes. Aqil's rational arguments now seemed overshadowed by the ominous undertones of the silver coin, leaving both superheroes grappling with the shadows that had unexpectedly descended upon their alliance.

"Is this the cost of peace, Aqil?" Cicakman's voice cut through the cold prison air, his eyes searching for some sign of remorse in Aqil's troubled gaze.

Aqil sighed, shoulders slumping under the weight of moral ambiguity. "We walk a thin line, my friend. It's the price we pay to keep our people safe."

As Cicakman bid farewell with the chilling words, "Sleep well, Judas," the chapter unfolded within the prison walls, leaving Aqil to confront the consequences of his choices and the fractured trust among those who once stood united against a common threat. The shadows of betrayal stretched across the heroes, and the prison walls contained not only bodies but the echoes of choices that would define the path ahead.

Inside the cold, unforgiving walls, Aqil found himself surrounded by whispers of doubt. "Did we do the right thing, Aqil?" one voice echoed through the shadows.

He glanced around, unable to pinpoint the source of the question. "I hope so," Aqil muttered, his own uncertainty seeping into his words.

As the prison gates clanged shut, sealing him within the confines of doubt and regret, Aqil Muhtadi knew that the journey ahead was shrouded in uncertainty. The choices made in the name of peace had fractured alliances and sown the seeds of distrust. In the dimly lit corridors, the ghosts of decisions lingered, and Aqil could only hope that redemption awaited at the end of this treacherous path.