DISCLAIMER – The following fic that you are about to view is an original fic and is no way involved with the Marvel Company. Any event resembling this is pure coincidence.
Was it worth it? Was winning the war really worth all of this? You know what? I now know it wasn't worth it.
I won the war, since Steve willingly surrendered to the authorities. Like a general, I should be proud of my victory, but I'm not. I felt empty. I felt like there was something immoral about this whole turn of events. I wasn't sure if I did the right thing by siding with the government.
Steve and I go way back; back before I met the X-men, Peter Parker, Jennifer Walters Jameson, etc. I first met him when I first joined the Avengers. We fought against Namor when we were searching for Bruce Banner. That's when I first witnessed first-hand. There he was, the legendary soldier of the United States, Captain America. Eventually, he became the founding member of the Avengers, taking Bruce's place, and becoming the leader of the Avengers. I never thought I would be fighting by his side. I watched him fight even the biggest villains that every superhero around has ever faced in their lives. I saw him face even the Hulk, despite the injuries he himself has suffered. He was a soldier that anyone could look up to, just like Peter Parker.
Steve and I became friends during our times as members of the Avengers. We would sometimes express our opinions about politics and our beliefs. I would tell him that I believed in the government and how they perform their duties to keep the peace of America. Steve then stated that he doesn't fight for our government, much to my amazement. He told me that he prefers to fight for the people of America, that he believed in the America Dream. What he wanted was that everyone would live in peace and embrace democracy in a brotherhood that he dreamed of. I was amazed on how much he was an idealistic patriot. He truly was a man full of patriotism. It was no wonder why most of the superhero community look up to Steve.
Things went well, until the time when Nitro caused an incident, similar to what happened when we lost the World Trade Center. There were so many civilian casualties and the superhero community, including myself and Steve, volunteered in a rescue effort and the clean up. Unfortunately, we never got the praise for our efforts. The civilians blamed us for the tragedy that struck, not that I blame them. Then, that's when everything took a dramatic turn. George Bush favored the Superhuman Registration Act, which orders every superhero around the US to sign up to the government to be used as soldiers. As a defense contractor for the government, I naturally supported the act, as I saw it as an opportunity to realize my goal: to have the superhero community help the government fight off threats to the US, like terrorists, warlords, armed militias, you name it. But during the Civil War, I never thought I'd be fighting my best friend, Steve. This Civil War was all about me and Steve's beliefs on the American Ideals. One thing was for sure, this Civil War marked the end of the friendship we have shared for so long. In the end, my side won the war. The Superhuman Registration Act stayed for good.
Steve and I talked one last time while he was confined in the S.H.I.E.L.D. detention center. All he asked me was, "Was it worth it?" I never gave him an answer, and now I regret it for not giving him one. From my office, I watched the CNN Headline News, which was doing a live report on Steve's final trial. I was in suspense to know what were the final charges he was going to receive, but that didn't happen. No, something much worst happened, which I never thought would happen. Steve was shot to death on Federal Hall by Crossbones.
Currently, Crossbones is still in the S.H.I.E.L.D. detention center. When Steve and I were alone, I finally told him my answer, even if he couldn't hear me. I told him, "If the Civil War meant the death of Steve, then this whole war was not worth it." I should've been the one to take that bullet. I shouldn't have convinced everyone to side with Bush, even Steve. Now I regret everything that's happened so far. Not a day goes by that I reflect on what's happened in this turn of events. Whenever I look at Steve's shield, I am always reminded of how my beliefs cost Steve's life.
Steve, I know you can hear me. I'm sorry for what's happened. If only I had negotiated further to George Bush, then you and I would've gotten what we wanted, and we never would've fought this war. I can't help but feel responsible for your death, even if I'm not the one who pulled that trigger. Even though I'm now a director of S.H.I.E.L.D., I still don't believe I deserve this.
Steve, I hope you can forgive me for all that has happened. I know our friendship may not exist anymore, but…America will never forget you. You were always the better man. You were always stronger than all of us, even myself. May you rest in peace.
Goodbye…my friend.